George R. Harper

1939 - 2024

GEORGE R. HARPER

November 23, 1939 to April 18, 2024

With much sadness, we, his family, announce the passing of George R. Harper. George passed away quietly at home on April 18, 2024, at the age of 84 in Shawnee, Oklahoma. George was born in Nevada City, California to Jessie and John Harper.

George graduated from El Dorado High School in Placerville, California in 1957. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy and was honorably discharged in 1959. George lived and worked in Nevada City, California. He worked for 30 years at Nevada County Road Department where he retired at the age of 55. He married the love of his life Pat on June 4, 1977, in Sacramento, California. Pat and her daughters, Jennifer and Denise moved to Nevada City in 1977 where George and Pat lived for 42 years. They then moved to Shawnee, Oklahoma in 2019 to be closer to family.

George was an active fixture in the Masonic Lodge, Nevada #13, F&AM for 36 years, serving as Worshipful Master in 1996, and received the Hiram award in 1996. One of George's proudest moments was when his grandson, Joshua Duncan, followed him and became a Master Mason on February 8, 2008, at George's home lodge in Nevada City.

George had a passion for volunteer work which took him to volunteering for Nevada City Chamber of Commerce for 20 years. Because of his active volunteering in Nevada City and County, he was chosen by the United Way of Nevada County to represent Nevada County in the 1996 Olympics by carrying the Olympic Torch in Marysville, California relay. He was so proud of that honor that he would show everyone who came to their home his Olympic Torch which hung proudly by the front door.

George also volunteered with Big Brothers and Sisters where he served on the board of Big Brothers and Sisters in Nevada City. George and Pat were the 4th of July and Constitution Day Parade Chairpersons for over 20 years in Nevada City. He was awarded the Bill Lambert Award in Nevada City for his services in Nevada City.

George also was passionate about helping others by donating 100 gallons of blood at local Blood Source locations in Grass Valley.

George was "Santa Claus" for so many young, old and everyone in between.

Although Georges health curtailed much volunteering in Shawnee, he did volunteer at the front desk of the Shawnee Senior Center and delivered for Meals on Wheels for a short time. As usual he made a lot of friends while volunteering.

George and Pat loved their time together. They traveled worldwide to England, Alaska, Hawaii, the Panama Canal, the Caribbean. They took a train trip around the United States and many road excursions around the United States.

George was preceded in death by his parents, Jessie and John Harper, brothers, David, Ralph, John, Harry, Richard Harper, his sisters Carolyn Hancock, Laura Davidson, and Gloria Ridings, and his grandson Joshua Duncan.

George is survived by his wife Pat, his daughters Lori Ekkart and Mike, Denise Manion and Chris, Jennifer Schaffer; grandsons Garrett Schaffer and Sarah, Zachary Schaffer and Aubry; great granddaughters, Jade and Rose Schaffer; sister-in-law, Bobbi Harper, nephews Kevin Harper and Joan, Walter Hancock and Becky, James Hancock and Lori; nieces Connie Pratt, Kathy Houghton, Kim Pineira and Jessie, Marcia Harper and many other family members.