Donald Lewis Harper

SPANISH FORT, AL Donald Louis Harper, age 79, of Spanish Fort, AL  passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, May 28, 2011.  He was a native of Monticello, AR and a long time resident of Mobile and Spanish Fort. He was a charter member of East Pointe Baptist Church where he served as a trustee.  Mr. Harper served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and was stationed in occupied Germany. He graduated from Louisiana State University with a degree in forestry.  He also attended the University of Florida Bankers Trust School. He was employed by Merchants National Bank (now Regions Bank) for thirty years, serving as Vice-President and Woodlands Manager in the Trust Department until his retirement in 1994. He served his profession as Secretary of the Southeast Section of the Society of American Foresters and served on the Alabama Forestry Commission Licensing Committee.  He was also a member of several forestry organizations. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Virginia Gathright Harper of Spanish Fort;  two sons, Joel Gathright (Michelle) Harper of Knoxville, TN,  Donald Clayton (Missy) Harper of Spanish Fort;  five grandchildren, Brett Wells Harper, Emory Blake Harper and William Brooks Harper, all of Knoxville, TN,  Emily Teal Harper and Andrew Louis Harper, both of Spanish Fort;  two brothers, Jack Hugh Harper of Monticello, AR,  James W. Harper of Garland, NC and a sister, Shirley Chambers of Central, AK and numerous other loving family members and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Johnie Wells and Thelma McKeown Harper. and infant son, Jeff Louis Harper. Visitation will be Tuesday, May 31, 2011 from 1-2:00 pm at Wolfe-Bayview Funeral Home in Daphne.  Funeral services will begin at 2:00 pm from the funeral home chapel.  Interment will follow at Jubilee Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to East Pointe Baptist Church. ARRANGEMENTS BY WOLFE-BAYVIEW FUNERAL HOMES & CREMATORY, INC. 27409 U. S. HIGHWAY98 DAPHNE, AL  36526