Timothy G. Harper

Tim passed peacefully at home on January 8, 2024. He was born at O'Connor Hospital, the second child of the late Grady and Henrietta Harper, and he was a lifelong resident of San Jose where he attended St. John Vianney grammar school and Bellarmine College Prep. He excelled in athletics, specifically baseball, playing at Bellarmine under coach Bob Fatjo where he received numerous league and conference honors. He was a proud inductee of Bellarmine's athletic hall of fame for individual and team accomplishments in baseball. He dabbled in music and enjoyed sharing with friends the stories of his time as a lead singer in a band during and just after high school. Following high school, Tim attended San Jose City College and Cal State Hayward, where he continued to excel on the baseball diamond. He maintained friendships with many of his classmates, bandmates and teammates throughout his life.Tim's first career was in education, initially in Cupertino and then as a middle school teacher at Joseph George School in San Jose. While teaching, he pursued a Master's Degree in Counseling at Santa Clara University, and this allowed him to be hired as a Counselor at San Jose City College. He remained at SJCC for 27 years as an effective and popular Counselor and Instructor in the Counseling and Supervision and Management programs. His enthusiasm, energy and encouragement in the classroom meant full rosters and many repeat students, many of whom remained in contact after graduating. He ventured into consulting work, providing countless large and small companies with guidance regarding team building, communications, management and HR issues, and corporate culture building. He did consulting work for more than 25 years.Later, when a student asked if Tim could conduct a career assessment for a court matter, his third career was born. Over the next 35+ years, he provided thousands of vocational assessments in family law matters in counties throughout the Bay Area. He endeavored to be more than an "evaluator," relying on his counseling background to provide honest guidance, assistance and problem solving to all involved parties while maintaining neutrality. He was largely regarded as fair and honest by attorneys, Judges and mediators, who often asked Tim to counsel their own children and spouses.He substituted baseball with golf in his later years, and was a frequent fixture on the course at San Jose Country Club or at one of many local tournaments. A favorite golf highlight was his trip to Scotland with fellow enthusiasts where he played the Old Course at St. Andrews.Tim's self-proclaimed "greatest accomplishments" were his children. Fatherhood came late, with the birth of his daughter on his own 49th birthday, but it was at a time where he could appreciate and enjoy watching his children grow. He was immensely proud of the kind, compassionate, intelligent and thoughtful adults they became. He renewed his passion for baseball through the experiences of his sons, with whom he shared his stories, knowledge, enthusiasm and encouragement.Tim's last years were peaceful, and he chose joy every day, even as his generous and fun-loving body gradually failed him. He loved a gathering of friends, a good meal, a fine wine, an intelligent conversation, and a hearty laugh. He loved people, and had daily calls with friends and buddies, keeping up with the latest news or lamenting current politics. He will be greatly missed. He is survived by his wife, Michele, and beloved children, Hannah, Wesley and Jack; as well as several in-laws, nieces, nephews and cousins, and an abundance of friends and colleagues who had the incredible pleasure to work with and know him. At his request, no service is scheduled. In his honor, the family encourages everyone to call a friend or meet for lunch and share a story of Tim. Order an appetizer "for the table," and please make sure you laugh.