Mark HARPER

1949 - 2021

HARPER, Mark Anthony age 71, went to be with the Lord on June 17, 2021. Mark leaves a legacy of integrity, kindness, and compassion. He will be deeply missed by all he touched. Mark was born December 29, 1949, in Knoxville, Tennessee, to the late Leslie M. Harper and Mary Jo Galvin Harper. He and his brother, Dr. John Kent Harper, had a storied childhood and grew into exceptional men with earnest, hard work at the core of their values and morals. With that dedication, Mark became a respected executive at GTE, which he served with excellence for over thirty years. However, Mark's commitment to professional honor, paled in his commitment to family. Specifically, for the love of his life, Kathy Daniel. They were married on May 10, 1969 and spent fifty-two years of unparalleled devotion and commitment to one another. Additionally, Mark, with his partner Kathy, made sure to embed honesty, integrity, and benevolence into the household they built for their two sons, Mark Christopher and Daniel Erik. It is this dedication and loyalty to family that endeared him eternally. Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Kathy Daniel Harper; son, Mark Christopher Harper (Tampa); son, Daniel Erik Harper and wife Mary Elizabeth Harper, PhD (Orlando); brother, John Kent Harper, PhD (New Bern, NC); granddaughter, Kayleen Nichole Harper (Tampa); and great-grandson, William Perez. Additional family and friends include, John David and Patsy Waldrop, John and Marsha Hehn, and Bobby and Judy Howell. A Celebration of Life service will be held Wednesday, June 23, 2021 at 11 am in the Warlick Funeral Home Chapel at 125 Dave Warlick Dr., Lincolnton, NC 28092 with Rev. Henry Haynes officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.