Wayne Marland Harper, 77 of Las Cruces entered eternal life Monday, April 2, 2012 at La Posada - Mesilla Valley Hospice with his loving wife at his side. He was born January 17, 1935 in Broken Bow, Oklahoma to Clint and Ora Shipman Harper. Mr. Harper served his country honorably in the U.S. Army; retired as an Electrical Engineer and was a member of the Morningstar United Methodist Church. He came to Las Cruces in 1953 to attend college. As a co-op for PSL he worked at WSMR in Data Reduction Section. He had completed his third year in Electrical Engineering when he was called into the military service. He spent two years in Kaiserslautern, Germany, then returned to NMSU and completed his final year and graduated with a BS in Electrical Engineering. He then joined the Satellite Ground Instrumentation Section of PSL. His work took him to various countries where he managed satellite tracking stations, among these Puerto Rico, South Africa, Hawaii, Japan, Thule, Greenland, Antarctica, Seychelles and Argentina. Those left to mourn his passing include his loving wife of fifty years, Eureka "Bubbles" Harper of the family home; one son, Gary Harper and wife Leanne of Texas; a daughter, Celeste H. Hudgens and husband John K. of Santa Teresa; one brother, Wyndell Harper and wife Kathy of Sugarland, Texas. Other survivors include eight grandchildren and six great-grandchildren who fondly called him "Oupa.", as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, one son, Luigi Harper in 2009, a grandson, Wayne, a brother Phil and a sister Mercedes, daughter-in-law Elize. Wayne was a very kind, caring and patient man; a truly bright star now shines above us. May he rest in peace. Cremation has taken place and a Memorial Service will be held at 4 PM Saturday, April 28, 2012 at Morningstar United Methodist Church, 2941 Morning Star Drive. Inurnment of cremains will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers the family has requested that donations be made in his name to La Posada - Mesilla Valley Hospice, 299 E. Montana Avenue, Las Cruces, NM 88005 and to the Skilled Nursing Unit, Good Samaritan Society Village, 3025 Terrace Drive, Las Cruces, NM 88005. Service arrangements entrusted to the care of Baca's Funeral Chapels and Sunset Crematory, 300 E. Boutz Road, Las Cruces.