Murray Charles Harper, 101, of Twin Falls, Idaho, died Saturday, Sept. 24, 2011, at his home after a long and productive life.
He was born Nov. 16, 1909, in Rigby, Idaho, the son of Rigby pioneers George and Zenobia Jane Sutherland Harper. He attended schools in Rigby from first grade through graduation from Rigby High School in 1927. Murray was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints all of his life and, from 1930 to 1932, he served an LDS mission in New Mexico. Things were different then. There was no MTC preparedness for missionaries and he had to hitchhike down to the New Mexico area by himself and learn the Spanish language while serving his mission. In this, he succeeded very well.
After he returned, he married Cordelia Bright, daughter of John Monroe and Amy Johnson Bright, in the Logan Utah LDS Temple on Feb. 1, 1933.
He worked several occupations in his lifetime, living in Idaho, Arizona and California the first few years of their marriage. In 1946, he went back to farming in Rigby. In 1953, he obtained a position in Seattle, Wash., with Boeing Aircraft, eventually transferring to Moses Lake, Wash., with Boeing from 1954 to 1963. After retiring from Boeing, he purchased a laundromat in Lewiston, Idaho, that they managed until 1983. They eventually sold the Laundromat, finally settling down to retirement in Twin Falls, Idaho, where they could be closer to their children.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Cordelia in 1990; one daughter, Sunda Holman in 2001; and two great-grandchildren, Gillian Lee Elkins in 2000 and Miley Jean McCauley in 2009. Survivors are children, Duane (Jean) Harper of Rigby, Idaho; Roeann Harper of Mesa, Ariz., and Mike (Brenda) Harper of Meridian, Idaho. Also surviving are 10 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.
Graveside service will be held at noon Thursday, Sept. 29, at the Rigby Pioneer Cemetery in Rigby, Idaho. A viewing for family and friends will take place from 7 until 8:30 p.m. Wednesday at White Mortuary, 136 Fourth Ave. E. in Twin Falls.
Services are under the direction of White Mortuary, "Chapel by the Park," in Twin Falls. Condolences may be left for the family by visiting www.whitemortuary.com.
He was born Nov. 16, 1909, in Rigby, Idaho, the son of Rigby pioneers George and Zenobia Jane Sutherland Harper. He attended schools in Rigby from first grade through graduation from Rigby High School in 1927. Murray was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints all of his life and, from 1930 to 1932, he served an LDS mission in New Mexico. Things were different then. There was no MTC preparedness for missionaries and he had to hitchhike down to the New Mexico area by himself and learn the Spanish language while serving his mission. In this, he succeeded very well.
After he returned, he married Cordelia Bright, daughter of John Monroe and Amy Johnson Bright, in the Logan Utah LDS Temple on Feb. 1, 1933.
He worked several occupations in his lifetime, living in Idaho, Arizona and California the first few years of their marriage. In 1946, he went back to farming in Rigby. In 1953, he obtained a position in Seattle, Wash., with Boeing Aircraft, eventually transferring to Moses Lake, Wash., with Boeing from 1954 to 1963. After retiring from Boeing, he purchased a laundromat in Lewiston, Idaho, that they managed until 1983. They eventually sold the Laundromat, finally settling down to retirement in Twin Falls, Idaho, where they could be closer to their children.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Cordelia in 1990; one daughter, Sunda Holman in 2001; and two great-grandchildren, Gillian Lee Elkins in 2000 and Miley Jean McCauley in 2009. Survivors are children, Duane (Jean) Harper of Rigby, Idaho; Roeann Harper of Mesa, Ariz., and Mike (Brenda) Harper of Meridian, Idaho. Also surviving are 10 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.
Graveside service will be held at noon Thursday, Sept. 29, at the Rigby Pioneer Cemetery in Rigby, Idaho. A viewing for family and friends will take place from 7 until 8:30 p.m. Wednesday at White Mortuary, 136 Fourth Ave. E. in Twin Falls.
Services are under the direction of White Mortuary, "Chapel by the Park," in Twin Falls. Condolences may be left for the family by visiting www.whitemortuary.com.
Murray Charles Harper, 101, of Twin Falls, Idaho, died Saturday, Sept. 24, 2011, at his home after a long and productive life.
He was born Nov. 16, 1909, in Rigby, Idaho, the son of Rigby pioneers George and Zenobia Jane Sutherland Harper. He attended schools in Rigby from first grade through graduation from Rigby High School in 1927. Murray was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints all of his life and, from 1930 to 1932, he served an LDS mission in New Mexico. Things were different then. There was no MTC preparedness for missionaries and he had to hitchhike down to the New Mexico area by himself and learn the Spanish language while serving his mission. In this, he succeeded very well.
After he returned, he married Cordelia Bright, daughter of John Monroe and Amy Johnson Bright, in the Logan Utah LDS Temple on Feb. 1, 1933.
He worked several occupations in his lifetime, living in Idaho, Arizona and California the first few years of their marriage. In 1946, he went back to farming in Rigby. In 1953, he obtained a position in Seattle, Wash., with Boeing Aircraft, eventually transferring to Moses Lake, Wash., with Boeing from 1954 to 1963. After retiring from Boeing, he purchased a laundromat in Lewiston, Idaho, that they managed until 1983. They eventually sold the Laundromat, finally settling down to retirement in Twin Falls, Idaho, where they could be closer to their children.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Cordelia in 1990; one daughter, Sunda Holman in 2001; and two great-grandchildren, Gillian Lee Elkins in 2000 and Miley Jean McCauley in 2009. Survivors are children, Duane (Jean) Harper of Rigby, Idaho; Roeann Harper of Mesa, Ariz., and Mike (Brenda) Harper of Meridian, Idaho. Also surviving are 10 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.
Graveside service will be held at noon Thursday, Sept. 29, at the Rigby Pioneer Cemetery in Rigby, Idaho. A viewing for family and friends will take place from 7 until 8:30 p.m. Wednesday at White Mortuary, 136 Fourth Ave. E. in Twin Falls.
Services are under the direction of White Mortuary, "Chapel by the Park," in Twin Falls. Condolences may be left for the family by visiting www.whitemortuary.com.
He was born Nov. 16, 1909, in Rigby, Idaho, the son of Rigby pioneers George and Zenobia Jane Sutherland Harper. He attended schools in Rigby from first grade through graduation from Rigby High School in 1927. Murray was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints all of his life and, from 1930 to 1932, he served an LDS mission in New Mexico. Things were different then. There was no MTC preparedness for missionaries and he had to hitchhike down to the New Mexico area by himself and learn the Spanish language while serving his mission. In this, he succeeded very well.
After he returned, he married Cordelia Bright, daughter of John Monroe and Amy Johnson Bright, in the Logan Utah LDS Temple on Feb. 1, 1933.
He worked several occupations in his lifetime, living in Idaho, Arizona and California the first few years of their marriage. In 1946, he went back to farming in Rigby. In 1953, he obtained a position in Seattle, Wash., with Boeing Aircraft, eventually transferring to Moses Lake, Wash., with Boeing from 1954 to 1963. After retiring from Boeing, he purchased a laundromat in Lewiston, Idaho, that they managed until 1983. They eventually sold the Laundromat, finally settling down to retirement in Twin Falls, Idaho, where they could be closer to their children.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Cordelia in 1990; one daughter, Sunda Holman in 2001; and two great-grandchildren, Gillian Lee Elkins in 2000 and Miley Jean McCauley in 2009. Survivors are children, Duane (Jean) Harper of Rigby, Idaho; Roeann Harper of Mesa, Ariz., and Mike (Brenda) Harper of Meridian, Idaho. Also surviving are 10 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.
Graveside service will be held at noon Thursday, Sept. 29, at the Rigby Pioneer Cemetery in Rigby, Idaho. A viewing for family and friends will take place from 7 until 8:30 p.m. Wednesday at White Mortuary, 136 Fourth Ave. E. in Twin Falls.
Services are under the direction of White Mortuary, "Chapel by the Park," in Twin Falls. Condolences may be left for the family by visiting www.whitemortuary.com.
