James Earl Harper, Sr. also known as "Bop" and "Buddy" left this world peacefully while at home to be with his Lord and Savior on August 19, 2020 in Vicksburg, MS.   He was 87 years old, born in Braxton, MS on June 17, 1933 and was the son of the late Jim and Myrtle Mahaffey Harper also of Vicksburg, MS.

He was educated in both the City and County schools and graduated from Jett High School as Valedictorian in 1951.  He also attended numerous off site courses through Hinds Community College. Following graduation he served in the United States Naval Reserve for over ten years.

He was a Manufacturing Superintendent at Westinghouse/Cooper Lighting from 1954 until his retirement in 1994.

He served on the Board of Good Shepherd Community Center for 10 years and participated with the SOS (Service Over Self) projects for many years.  He was also a staff member of Cursillo and a Mason.

He was an avid farmer, gardener, and well known for his "picture perfect" landscaping techniques for over sixty years. For years, he supplied many friends with his garden vegetables that he called his "labor of love."   In his early years, he raised quail and trained bird dogs for pheasant and quail hunting adventures with his buddies in Oklahoma and Mississippi. He was master fisherman that could set a trotline without hesitation.  He taught his children and grandchildren the meaning of faith, family, hard work, and the love of the outdoors.

Was a charter member of Porters Chapel United Methodist Church for over 60 years where he served as a Trustee, member of the Finance Committee, United Methodist Men's Club, Sunday School Teacher and numerous other positions.    He was a member of the American Legion, and VFW.

Mr. Harper leaves one son, James E. Harper, Jr. (Jennifer) and two daughters,  Beverly A. Connelly, and Jeri L. McGuffie (Pat)

He also leaves six grandchildren James Kory Connelly (Michele), Keri C. Purser (Zack), Mandy L. McGuffie, James E. Harper, III (Miranda), James Patrick McGuffie, and Benjamin T. Harper (Abagail); five great grandchildren:  Skylar Renae Connelly, Madison Ann Connelly, Colton Lee Purser, Conner Gage Purser, and Sara Townsend; and  one brother, Cecil W. Harper (Karen) of Madison, MS.

He was preceded in death by his parents Jim and Myrtle C. Harper; his wife of  55 years Willardean W. Harper;   his sister, Bettie Jean Middleton;  his brother,  William "Sonny" Harper;   his sister,  Cheryl Sue Harper;  and a grandson,  Phillip James Connelly, Jr.

Services will be held at Porters Chapel United Methodist Church with visitation Friday, August 21st from 5:00 pm-7:00pm and visitation on Saturday, August 22nd from 1:00pm-2:00pm followed by a service for the family at 2:00 pm.  Interment will follow in Greenlawn Gardens Cemetery under the direction Fisher-Riles Funeral Home.  Pallbearers will be his  grandsons and James Patrick McGuffie, Sr.  and Fred Henry Wells

Memorials may be made to Porters Chapel United Methodist, 200 Porters Chapel Road, Vicksburg, MS 39180