George S. Harper

George Sharron Harper was born in Crowville, Louisiana to Loyce M. and Arthur Harper on March 29, 1940. The family remained in this area until after World War II when they moved to Natchez, MS. George continued to return to his grandmother’s farm for many memorable summers. It was here he developed his love for gardening – both flowers and vegetables.

George’s career included various types of employment. The first was delivering newspapers from his bicycle in Natchez. In high school he worked in the parts department of a local automobile dealership. He was a member of the 1958 graduating class of Natchez High School. After attending the University of Southern Mississippi, he began work in the nuclear field at the Tatum Salt Dome Project. From nuclear he moved on to aerospace where he was employed by General Electric at the Stennis Space Center. After man landed on the moon, George had a short stint working for the railroad and selling hearing aids. He finished his professional career at Ingalls Shipbuilding. After retirement, he returned to his first joy – doing tractor and excavator work.
George was preceded in death by his nephew Gerald “Rex” Smith.

George was a big man with a big heart and his absence leaves a great void in the lives of his wife, Janice, his daughter Kim Harper, his sister Beth Pevey (Tommy), his acquired daughter Gina Eger (Chris), granddaughter, Erin Tunello (Thomas), niece Melanie Long (Jeff) and nephew Art Smith (Carrie). He is also survived by daughter Sharron Kay McGahee (Vincent), grandsons Derek McGahee (Chelsea) and Blake Baylor and of course, the “greats” Madison, Matthew, Alyson, Collin, Jocelyn, Jordyn, Camden and Coralee. George never met a stranger therefore many special friends and “acquaintances” will also miss him.

Funeral Services will be held in the Chapel of O’Bryant O’Keefe (4811 Telephone Road, Pascagoula, MS) on Tuesday, April 28 th at 2:00 P.M. with visitation from 1:00- 2:00pm. Honorary pallbearers are Jesse Grizzard, Ray Mitchell, Will Warren, Nolan Franz, Warren Ross and Marty Daniels.

In lieu of flowers, please contribute to your church or your favorite. You may send condolences to his family or share a memory of him on the Tribute Wall of this website. 

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