Russell Dean Harpham

Russell Dean Harpham went to a Reunion in Heaven with JOY in his heart on November 17, 2006. He had fought the good fight and gave a valiant effort, but in the end, the devastating disease of ALS (Lou Gehrigs Disease) won out. He passed away at his home in Independence, Mo., surrounded by his loved ones. Services will be Tuesday, November 21, 2006, at Reser Funeral Home in Warsaw, Mo. Interment in Shawnee Bend Cemetery. The family will greet friends on Sunday, November 19, 2006, from 6-8 p.m. at Speaks Suburban Chapel in Independence, Mo., with a second visitation being Monday, November 20, 2006, at Reser Funeral Home. The family request in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Warsaw Bible Church in Warsaw, at 16155 Wagonner Road, Warsaw, MO 65355. Dean (as he was known) was born August 9, 1932, the youngest of four children of Roscoe Morton and Grace Belle Raymer-Harpham at the family Century Farm, located just south and east of Fristoe, Mo. He attended Cross Timbers schools, graduating from high school. Dean was united in marriage to Anna Mae Henderson after high school and to this union one son, Ronald Eugene Harpham, was born. Dean held several jobs in the Kansas City area, including 13 years as a Teamster. In 1965, they moved back to Warsaw, Mo., where Dean owned several businesses and was a prominent member of several business organizations. He was among the founding fathers of the Warsaw Jubilee Days. In 1981, Dean started his own business as a used tractor and trailer buyer and seller in Kansas City Mo., on 40 Hwy., known as "Dean's Equipment". He finally retired after the disease made him completely wheel chair bound. Through the years of being in the truck sales, he met many wonderful friends and got a lot of joy out of "shooting the breeze with the guys about who could sell what". In May 1994, Dean bought 300 acres on Stocking Lake that had been used as hunting land and turned it into a beautiful Longhorn Ranch. Starting out with seven skinny longhorns, he made them pets and increased the heard to over 75 head. They were the fattest and most beautiful cows to have ever been called Longhorns. As his disease progressed, the cattle with their "long horns" had become to dangerous and he sold them and started raising black angus, which his nephew, David Harpham of Conway Mo., tended the farm for him. Dean loved his farm, making improvements and seeing the land becoming a ranch thrilled him to no end. To him it was his "haven of rest" riding around the land and talking to the cows. Preceding him in eternal rest were his father and mother, one brother, Charles Lee Harpham, and one sister, Ruth Harpham-Vail. Survivors include his only son Ronnie and his wife Linda Harpham of Independence, Mo.; one grandson, Rusty and his wife Amy of Raytown, Mo.; and one granddaughter, Becky and husband Chad Wyenandt of Independence, Mo.; two great grandsons, Roscoe and River Harpham, and one great granddaughter, Brianna Grace Wyenandt, to be born next month. One brother, Glen Harpham and his wife Claudia, and one sister-in-law, Betty Harpham of Topeka, Kan., several nieces and nephews, a host of precious friends and relatives also survive. Dean loved his family and all he met, and was a great friend to all. In the end, he was very glad to know Christ as his Savior and the fact he looked forward to seeing everyone gone before him and to all who will come after. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.speakschapel.com. Arrangements under care of Speaks Suburban Chapel.