Mr. Thomas W. "Tom" Harper, 86, a resident of Providence Place, 2085 Wayne Rd., Chambersburg, PA and formerly of 11059 Mentzer Gap Rd, Waynesboro, passed away at 5:40 a.m., Wednesday, December 13, 2009 in the nursing home surrounded by family.
Born September 7, 1923 on a ranch in Somerton, Arizona, he was the son of the late Warren C. and Bessie E. (Pavey) Harper. During the Great Depression his family moved to Woodland, California.
Mr. Harper enlisted in the Army Air Corp at age 17. He received flight training in San Angelo, Texas.
Mr. Harper met Emma E. Saake in San Francisco, CA and were later married in San Angelo, Texas in 1942. His wife of 67 years was at his bedside.
He was a bombardier during World War II in the European Theater. During his 24th mission he was shot down over Germany and spent 13 months as a P.O.W.. Following World War II, he resigned his commission and lived for a short time as a civilian. He re-enlisted in the Air Force and entered meteorology school. He spent the next 28 years as a meteorologist retiring in 1972 from Fort Ritchie.
Following his retirement from the military he was employed with Harry Kahn and Associates as a technical writer until 1998.
Mr. Harper was a member of the former B.P.O.E. Lodge # 731, and was a member of the Board of Directors and volunteer for the Antietam Humane Society.
He loved gardening and playing golf. He also loved to draw and did creative writing in his spare time.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by two daughters, Beverly J. Duffey, of Canandaigua, NY, Patricia K. Mitchell, of Waynesboro; five grandchildren, Brian Bedient, Melanie Lauria, James Baylies, Mathew Baylies, Emilie Baylies; two step-granddaughters, Jodi Alexander, and Mandy Mitchell; and seven great-grandchildren.
In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by one granddaughter, Amy Beth Baylies; one sister, Blanche Gac; and two brothers, Charles Harper and Stanley Harper.
A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday December 18, 2009 in Grove-Bowersox Funeral Home, 50 S. Broad St., Waynesboro with Chaplain John Winckler officiating.
There will be no public viewing, however, the family will receive friends one hour prior to the service in the funeral home.
Born September 7, 1923 on a ranch in Somerton, Arizona, he was the son of the late Warren C. and Bessie E. (Pavey) Harper. During the Great Depression his family moved to Woodland, California.
Mr. Harper enlisted in the Army Air Corp at age 17. He received flight training in San Angelo, Texas.
Mr. Harper met Emma E. Saake in San Francisco, CA and were later married in San Angelo, Texas in 1942. His wife of 67 years was at his bedside.
He was a bombardier during World War II in the European Theater. During his 24th mission he was shot down over Germany and spent 13 months as a P.O.W.. Following World War II, he resigned his commission and lived for a short time as a civilian. He re-enlisted in the Air Force and entered meteorology school. He spent the next 28 years as a meteorologist retiring in 1972 from Fort Ritchie.
Following his retirement from the military he was employed with Harry Kahn and Associates as a technical writer until 1998.
Mr. Harper was a member of the former B.P.O.E. Lodge # 731, and was a member of the Board of Directors and volunteer for the Antietam Humane Society.
He loved gardening and playing golf. He also loved to draw and did creative writing in his spare time.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by two daughters, Beverly J. Duffey, of Canandaigua, NY, Patricia K. Mitchell, of Waynesboro; five grandchildren, Brian Bedient, Melanie Lauria, James Baylies, Mathew Baylies, Emilie Baylies; two step-granddaughters, Jodi Alexander, and Mandy Mitchell; and seven great-grandchildren.
In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by one granddaughter, Amy Beth Baylies; one sister, Blanche Gac; and two brothers, Charles Harper and Stanley Harper.
A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday December 18, 2009 in Grove-Bowersox Funeral Home, 50 S. Broad St., Waynesboro with Chaplain John Winckler officiating.
There will be no public viewing, however, the family will receive friends one hour prior to the service in the funeral home.
Mr. Thomas W. "Tom" Harper, 86, a resident of Providence Place, 2085 Wayne Rd., Chambersburg, PA and formerly of 11059 Mentzer Gap Rd, Waynesboro, passed away at 5:40 a.m., Wednesday, December 13, 2009 in the nursing home surrounded by family.
Born September 7, 1923 on a ranch in Somerton, Arizona, he was the son of the late Warren C. and Bessie E. (Pavey) Harper. During the Great Depression his family moved to Woodland, California.
Mr. Harper enlisted in the Army Air Corp at age 17. He received flight training in San Angelo, Texas.
Mr. Harper met Emma E. Saake in San Francisco, CA and were later married in San Angelo, Texas in 1942. His wife of 67 years was at his bedside.
He was a bombardier during World War II in the European Theater. During his 24th mission he was shot down over Germany and spent 13 months as a P.O.W.. Following World War II, he resigned his commission and lived for a short time as a civilian. He re-enlisted in the Air Force and entered meteorology school. He spent the next 28 years as a meteorologist retiring in 1972 from Fort Ritchie.
Following his retirement from the military he was employed with Harry Kahn and Associates as a technical writer until 1998.
Mr. Harper was a member of the former B.P.O.E. Lodge # 731, and was a member of the Board of Directors and volunteer for the Antietam Humane Society.
He loved gardening and playing golf. He also loved to draw and did creative writing in his spare time.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by two daughters, Beverly J. Duffey, of Canandaigua, NY, Patricia K. Mitchell, of Waynesboro; five grandchildren, Brian Bedient, Melanie Lauria, James Baylies, Mathew Baylies, Emilie Baylies; two step-granddaughters, Jodi Alexander, and Mandy Mitchell; and seven great-grandchildren.
In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by one granddaughter, Amy Beth Baylies; one sister, Blanche Gac; and two brothers, Charles Harper and Stanley Harper.
A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday December 18, 2009 in Grove-Bowersox Funeral Home, 50 S. Broad St., Waynesboro with Chaplain John Winckler officiating.
There will be no public viewing, however, the family will receive friends one hour prior to the service in the funeral home.
Born September 7, 1923 on a ranch in Somerton, Arizona, he was the son of the late Warren C. and Bessie E. (Pavey) Harper. During the Great Depression his family moved to Woodland, California.
Mr. Harper enlisted in the Army Air Corp at age 17. He received flight training in San Angelo, Texas.
Mr. Harper met Emma E. Saake in San Francisco, CA and were later married in San Angelo, Texas in 1942. His wife of 67 years was at his bedside.
He was a bombardier during World War II in the European Theater. During his 24th mission he was shot down over Germany and spent 13 months as a P.O.W.. Following World War II, he resigned his commission and lived for a short time as a civilian. He re-enlisted in the Air Force and entered meteorology school. He spent the next 28 years as a meteorologist retiring in 1972 from Fort Ritchie.
Following his retirement from the military he was employed with Harry Kahn and Associates as a technical writer until 1998.
Mr. Harper was a member of the former B.P.O.E. Lodge # 731, and was a member of the Board of Directors and volunteer for the Antietam Humane Society.
He loved gardening and playing golf. He also loved to draw and did creative writing in his spare time.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by two daughters, Beverly J. Duffey, of Canandaigua, NY, Patricia K. Mitchell, of Waynesboro; five grandchildren, Brian Bedient, Melanie Lauria, James Baylies, Mathew Baylies, Emilie Baylies; two step-granddaughters, Jodi Alexander, and Mandy Mitchell; and seven great-grandchildren.
In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by one granddaughter, Amy Beth Baylies; one sister, Blanche Gac; and two brothers, Charles Harper and Stanley Harper.
A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday December 18, 2009 in Grove-Bowersox Funeral Home, 50 S. Broad St., Waynesboro with Chaplain John Winckler officiating.
There will be no public viewing, however, the family will receive friends one hour prior to the service in the funeral home.
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