Trending
SENECA ROCKS, W.Va. -- James Gar Harper, 96, of Seneca Rocks, W.Va., passed away on Friday, July 31, 2026, at Grant Rehabilitation and Care Center in Petersburg, W.Va.
He was born on April 2, 1930, in Onego, W.Va., the son of the late George E. Harper and Beula Ketterman Harper.
In addition to his parents, Mr. Harper was preceded in death by his first wife, Gail C. Smith Harper in 2000; two grandchildren, an infant grandson and granddaughter, Krista Ronai; five brothers; and seven sisters.
Mr. Harper was the last surviving member of his immediate family.
Mr. Harper and his late wife, Gail, are survived by three daughters, Cindy Kares and husband, Al, of Fairfax, Virginia, Dottie Johnson of Greene, Ohio, and Karen Hood and husband, Jerry, of Winder, Georgia; seven grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Mr. Harper is survived by his wife, Wilma R. Aldridge Harper; one stepdaughter, Nicole Cassidy of Warren; and one stepson, Tom Pappas, and his wife, Denese of Warren; four step-grandchildren; five step-great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Mr. Harper was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War. He was employed by Martin Marietta in Middle River, Maryland, and Delphi Packard in Warren, as a heat treatment specialist. After retirement, he moved back to West Virginia, and enjoyed gardening and helping to build many churches. He was an active member of the North Fork Baptist Church in Riverton. He loved his church family.
Services have taken place with military honors conferred by the United States Army Honor Guard and the Grant County Veterans Honor Guard.
Interment was in North Fork Memorial Cemetery, Riverton, W.Va.
Arrangements were by Schaeffer Funeral Home, Petersburg, W.Va.
(special notice)