Richard J. Harper's Obituary
Richard J. Harper, 83, passed away peacefully the morning of January 29, 2012. Although a graduate of the School of Journalism at the University of Missouri, he never worked at that trade since fiction was his passion. He was at various times a U. S. Marine, forest ranger, airline passenger agent, a U. S. Border Patrolman, insurance investigator and an employment interviewer with the Dept. of Economic Security from which he retired. In the 50's and 60's he wrote a score of short stories published in various magazines. The most popular "The Samaritan" was published in various magazines and books. Later he had eight novels published including, "Kill Factor" which in 1984 was nominated for the Edgar Allen Poe Mystery Writer Award for first year mystery novels. He had two more published in a series with the same detective, Tom Ragnon. Richard (Dick) was an outdoorsman enjoying camping, fishing and hiking. He was a site steward for the Arizona state parks. He was preceded in death by his wife, Evelyn Maxine Harper and survived by his four sons, Steve (Ritamarie), Mike (Betsy), David (Cynthia), and Edward (Penny); eleven grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. Family would like to thank Casa de la Luz Hospice and the devoted staff at Hacienda de Paz. The family has decided not to have public services. In lieu of flowers a donation may be made to the Alzheimer's Disease Research. Arrangements by EVERGREEN MORTUARY & CEMETERY, N. Oracle & W. Miracle Mile.
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