George E. Harper

George E. Harper, 90, of Gandeeville, went home to be with the Lord, 25 October 2025, at his home, surrounded by family.

He was born December 29, 1934, at Falling Rock, WV, the son of the late Amos G. Harper and Madeline F. Sharpe.

In addition to his parents, George was preceded in death by his wife of 68 years, Evelyn E. Mullins Harper; infant son, Steve; brothers, Jimmy and Gary W. Harper; grandparents, Jasper and Louise Perdue Harper and Samuel G. and Clara B. Hays.

George started working at the family sawmill at an early age. He graduated from Clendenin High School, where he played on the basketball team.

He joined the WV Air National Guard. He loved to fly and loved watching shows about the planes he worked on while in the guard. He was discharged as a loadmaster, S/SGT, Acft Mech PAFSC.

He retired from C&P Telephone Company and worked for the Roane County Board of Education as a bus driver.

George was a member of the Nazarene Church in Clendenin, serving on the board and teacher. He helped build the current church building. After moving to Roane County, he was a member and teacher at the Nazarene Church in Walton. 

He attended Gandeeville Community Church for many years. He again served on the board and was a teacher. George and Evelyn have attended Faith Baptist Church in Spencer for the last four years.

George took several summer vacations with his family, taking along their horses. They attended the Nazarene Church Campgrounds in Summersville to allow others the joy of riding a horse.

He and his family were founding members of the Elk River Boots and Saddle Club. George was their second President.

Horses were an important part of family time together.

He was also a member of the Lion’s Club in Roane County and was also Farmer of the Year in Roane County in 1995.

In later years, he and Evelyn took many trips out west. He loved the west and the westerns. Evelyn would say he was a misplaced cowboy, born at the wrong time and place.

George and several friends, along with son, Jeff and grandson, Brent, would take their horses and go to Wyoming for either the spring or fall roundup and work cattle.

His best pastime was farming, working with cattle and horses, spending time with his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren and having horse shows at the Harper’s Rockin H Farm.

The most important things in his life were Faith, Family, Friends and Farm.

Survivors include his children, Kathy Harper Kidd, Jeff (Terri) Harper, Vickie (Joe) Reed and Terry Holstein; brother, Harold Harper; sister-in-law, Frances Chapman; brother-in-law, Conard Mullins; grandchildren, April Kidd, Jason Marks, Brandy (Ben) Gentry, Melissa (Allen) Raines, Debbie (Chris) Evans, Kristin Harper, Amy (Corey) Mace, Jessica Bowman and Brent (Adrienne) Harper; great grandchildren, Kiara, Dalton, Basia, Bradley, Eli, Austin, Emma, Jeremiah, Kinlee, Jasper, Blaze, Jettsen, Jeorgia, Matthew, Jessica, Addison and Nikolas and one on the way; great great grandchildren, Mason, Madison and Myah.

A funeral service will be held at 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, October 29, 2025, at Faith Baptist Church, Spencer.

Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. at the church.

Burial will be in Price Cemetery, Falling Rock at 12:00 p.m. Thursday, October 30.

John H. Taylor Funeral Home, Spencer, is assisting the family with arrangements.

Condolences may be shared at www.taylorfuneralhomeinc.com