Kenneth Henry "Ken" Harper

1931 - 2015

Kenneth "Ken" Henry Harper, 84 years old, passed away at his home in New Braunfels, TX on June 11th 2015. Born June 2, 1931 near Benkelman, NE to Lewis and Goldie (nee Maranville) Harper on their farm. From the age of 4 he grew up in Longmont, Co with his sister Betty Jean (Jensen, deceased), playing "the love of his life" baseball. He lettered at Longmont High School and graduated 1949. He attended Colorado State University to play baseball. After graduating in 1954 and teaching science and sports 1 year he met the "second love of his life" Alberta L. Swartz. They were united in marriage in 1955 at St. James Catholic Church Wetmore, KS. The other loves of his life; Kim Henry (wife Ellen, children Ian and Evelyn), Rebecca Kay deceased (husband Dale Bucher deceased, child Louis Acquisto, husband Mark Acquisto deceased, child Stella), Bridget Marie Harper (children Curtis and Kendra Dawson), Patrice Lynn (husband Robert Faust, children Eva and John, and ward nieces Gretchen Gantz, Theresa Gantz and nephew Douglas Gantz. Ken taught elementary physical education for 34 years teaching his love of sports at F.P. Calliet elementary in Dallas, TX. Ken also shared his love of the political process by being voted the local Irving Republican precinct chairman in Irving, TX for 26 years. He was also involved in introducing the love of soccer to the Irving, TX area in the early to late 70's as a coach of the Irving girls soccer team the Apollos and the Irving High School Tigers soccer team. Ken also shared his love of God and church as a 4th degree member of the Knights of Columbus in the Catholic Church's he and Alberta attended. Ken is remembered as a quiet man who loved God, his family, his friends, never knew a stranger and loved baseball. The family wishes to thank the New Braunfels fire department and EMT's for their kind services. A Holy Rosary will be recited at 9:30AM followed by a Memorial Mass at 10:00AM on Saturday, June 20, 2015 at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in New Braunfels. All services will end at the conclusion of the Funeral Mass. In lieu of flowers please support in Ken's name a local Alzheimer's organization or Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church New Braunfels, TX.