James R. Harper

ALMA -- James R. Harper, 77, of Beaver City, died Wednesday (Jan. 28, 2004) at Harlan County Hospital of Alma.

He was born Dec. 28, 1926, in Beaver City to Leo and Mabel (Thompson) Harper. He grew up in Beaver City and graduated with the class of 1944 from Beaver City High School.

He served in the Army during World War II. After his discharge, he attended school at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln and obtained his law degree in 1952.

On Dec. 1, 1955, he married Julietta Dockins in Hill City, Kan.

He returned to Beaver City to practice law until his retirement in 1989. The couple did a lot of volunteer work for the American Red Cross after his retirement.

He was a member of First Presbyterian Church of Beaver City, the Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion of Beaver City, the Masonic Lodge of Arapahoe and the Nebraska Bar Association.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one great-grandson.

Survivors include his wife, Julie of Beaver City; four sons, Michael and wife, Kathy Harper of White Bear Lake, Minn., Daniel and wife, Vicki Harper of Kearney, Kevin and wife, Pam Harper of Beaver City and Blaine and wife, Diane Harper of Basking Ridge, N.J.; one daughter, Laurie and husband, Bobby Johnston of Saratoga, Wyo.; two sisters, Doris and husband, Dean Davis of Evansville, Ind., and Florine Theobald of Beaver City; 15 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Services are Saturday, 1:30 p.m., at First Presbyterian Church in Beaver City with the Rev. Darin Bentzinger officiating. Inurnment will be at a later date.

Wenburg Funeral Home of Beaver City is in charge of the arrangements.