Murray Charles Harper

MURRAY CHARLES HARPER
Murray Charles Harper, 101, of Twin Falls, Idaho died on Saturday, September 24, 2011 at his home after a long and productive life.
He was born November 16, 1909 in Rigby, Idaho, the son of Rigby pioneers George and Zenobia Jane Sutherland Harper. He attended schools in Rigby from first grade through graduation from Rigby High School in 1927.
Murray was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints all of his life and from 1930- 1932 he served a L.D.S. mission in New Mexico. Things were different then. There was no MTC preparedness for missionaries and he had to hitchhike down to the New Mexico area by himself and learn the Spanish language while serving his mission. In this he succeeded very well.
After he returned, he married Cordelia Bright, daughter of John Monroe and Amy Johnson Bright, in the Logan, Utah L.D.S. temple on February 1, 1933.
He worked several occupations in his lifetime living in Idaho, Arizona and California the first few years of their marriage. In 1946 he went back to farming in Rigby. In 1953, he obtained a position in Seattle, Washington with the Boeing Aircraft eventually transferring to Moses Lake, Washington with Boeing from 1954 -1963. After retiring from Boeing, he purchased a laundromat in Lewiston, Idaho that they managed until 1983. They eventually sold the laundromat finally settling down to retirement in Twin Falls, Idaho where they could be closer to their children.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Cordelia in 1990, one daughter, Sunda Holman in 2001 and two great grandchildren, Gillian Lee Elkins in 2000 and Miley Jean McCauley in 2009.
Survivors are children, Duane (Jean) Harper of Rigby, Idaho; Roeann Harper of Mesa, Arizona and Mike (Brenda) Harper of Meridian, Idaho. Also surviving are ten grandchildren and seventeen great grandchildren.
A celebration of Murray's life will be held as a graveside service at 12:00 noon on Thursday, September 29, 2011 at the Rigby Pioneer Cemetery, Rigby, Idaho next to his wife. A viewing for family and friends will take place on Wednesday evening from 7:00 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. at White Mortuary, 136 4th Ave. East, Twin Falls.
Services are under the direction of White Mortuary, "Chapel by the Park", Twin Falls. Condolences may be left for the family by visiting www.whitemortuary.com.