John Robert "Bob" Harper

John Robert Harper (Bob), 85 of Big Timber, Montana passed away on December 12, 2024.
Bob was born December 19, 1938, in Big Timber, Montana. He was the sixth child of ten born to Edward V. Harper and Mabel C. (Crum) Harper. His education started at the Glasston School in 1943, until the family moved onto the Crum family ranch near Melville in 1946. There he attended Melville School through the 8th grade and graduated from Sweet Grass County High School in 1956.
Bob enlisted in the United States Air Force and served from 1956 to 1960 as Airman First Class. Following his active-duty service, he enlisted in the Air National Guard in 1966.
Bob married Jean Duncan on January 12, 1963, and was blessed with an instant family of 3 children: Kim, Robin and Ronnie whom he always considered his own. They lost Ronnie way too soon to cancer at the age of 5. They eventually had 3 more children, Julie, Jeff and Jay. During this time, he moved his family to Great Falls and served full-time as an airplane technician until 1968.
After his service he moved his family back to Big Timber and for many years he worked for Bieber Feed and Grain during the winter/spring months. He also did contract haying with his brother Chuck in the summer months. Later, he went to work for his nephew at Bainter Backhoe Service. In 1984 he bought his first truck and Harper Trucking continued for over 30 years until he retired.
Bob loved hunting, fishing, camping, 4-wheeling, playing pool and playing cards (mainly cribbage). Bob had a mischievous side and was known for carrying a picture in his wallet of a very large salmon he caught in Alaska but telling everyone he caught it in Glasston Lake. Most of all, Bob loved his family and getting everyone together as often as possible.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Jean Harper, stepson Ronnie Pederson, parents Edward and Mabel, siblings; Chuck Harper, Dick Harper, Betty Kallen, Helen Andrick, Catherine Bainter, nephew Kevin Jones, son-in law ML Laborde and very good friend, Mickey Edwards.
He leaves behind his children, Kim Brien, Robin LaBorde, Julie Dodge (Dan), Jeff Harper, Jay Harper (Kim); sisters, Ginny Rathkamp (Darrell), Mary Underwood, Margaret Solheim, Kathleen Thomas; grandchildren, Ami Burns (JD), Jon Brien, Tamar Brien, Tina Brien, Jamie Kesler (Sam), Jennifer Yelverton (Brandon), Lance Dodge (Annie), Clinton Dodge (Mariya), Jackie Fischer (Orie), Jonathan Harper (Lauren), Kaitlyn Harper, Kiersten Harper, Kassidy Harper, 18 great-grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews and his buddy Zip.
Services will be held 11:00 a.m. Friday January 3, 2025 at Stenberg Funeral Home. Graveside service with military honors directly after the service at the Mountain View Cemetery. Reception to follow at the American Legion.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in Bob's name may be made to American Legion Post #19, PO Box 51, Big Timber, MT 59011