Bonham, Texas -- Jerry Dan Harper, loving husband, father, “Pop” and friend was welcomed into heaven by his savior Jesus Christ on Thursday, June 19, 2025 at the age of 84.
Jerry was born in Sulphur Bluff, Texas on Sept 6, 1940 to Leslie Harper and Zadie Burkhead Harper. The youngest of 4 children, Jerry grew up on a family ranch in Franklin County Texas and graduated from Mt. Vernon High School in 1958. He married Nancy Anne Campbell on May 27, 1961 - whom he met on the school bus and always recalled her being the prettiest girl he’d ever seen.
Jerry worked hard to put himself and Anne through college, both graduating from East Texas State College in Commerce, and each attributing the other with the fact they could attend and graduate. Though Jerry held a Masters in Education, he promptly gave up teaching for sales. Quickly rising through the ranks at Ralston Purina, the company wanted him to make his career there which would have involved several moves as he continued to advance. However, he chose a different course to ensure he’d be home each night with his family and to provide his daughters a permanent home in a community with small town values. The family moved to Bonham, Texas in 1977.
Jerry became active in the rotary, city council, Chamber of Commerce and served as mayor in the early 80s. Over the years he served on multiple boards including Texoma Medical Center and First National Bank of Trenton and was a long-time member of First Baptist Church Bonham. After decades of hard work and success as the owner of new and used car dealerships, Jerry retired early to care for his beloved wife and her battle with Parkinsons disease.
Some of the things Jerry enjoyed most in life were spending time with family, working on his ranch, owning loyal dogs, cooking up the next deal, planning trips and traveling – especially RV style. He always eagerly indulged his young daughter’s request, “Let’s talk about vacation.” If you ever heard Jerry tell a story, you know he could tell it better than anyone – and he had a lot of them. His closest friends could share what an incredible prankster he could be, including hanging fish heads and scales along the fence of Billy Jack Houston’s house so he’d think someone had fished in his pond while he traveled all summer.
In later years he enjoyed playing cards and dominoes with good friends and visiting at the hospital café over breakfast. Jerry’s most meaningful roles could be summed up as husband, Daddy and Pop with the saying his girls (Anne, Liz and Jeanette) heard often: I love you three girls and don’t you forget it, or I’ll be mad. We never forgot, Daddy. Your actions and love showed us every single day.
Jerry was preceded in death by his wife, Anne Harper, his parents Leslie and Zadie Harper, his sister, Ruth Martin, and brothers RM and Shelby Harper. Left to cherish his memory are daughter Liz Harper and her boyfriend JD Kissinger, daughter Jeanette Edgar and her husband Randy, grandchildren Zach Miller, Andrew Miller, his girlfriend Lottie Galvan, Allison Miller and her boyfriend Chris Fox, Josie Walker and her husband Taylor, Lucas Edgar and Quinn Edgar and sister-in-law Chris Crawley in addition to many nieces and nephews and many good friends.
Services will be held at Cooper Sorrells Funeral Home in Bonham, Texas on Monday, June 23 at 10:00 a.m. Family visitation on Sunday evening, June 22, from 5:00-7:00 p.m.
To convey condolences or to sign an online registry, please visit www.coopersorrells.com.
