Art S. Harper passed away October 30, 2012 at the age of 96. He was born on November 6, 1915 in Mesquite, Texas. Art was valedictorian of his class, deciding if he could be second in class he could surely be first. This offered him the opportunity to receive a scholarship to college, but instead he chose to go into the construction business and joined Cullum Construction. He spent 40 years at Cullum working his way up from mechanic to Vice President. There was nothing that Art could not build and he was thought of as an “earth moving genius” in the book, “Profile of Dallas, Love Affair with a City”. Art’s achievements and relationships built at Cullum were of tremendous pride to him. He proudly served in the U.S. Army during World War II and was a member of the troops who built the Ledo Road, taking his travels through India and Burma. Later in life, he greatly enjoyed sharing stories of this experience with his grandson-in-law who is from India. Art was a friend to many and well-respected by all.
He is survived by his granddaughter Shannon Mukundan and husband Bobby; great-granddaughter Mira Mukundan; daughter-in-law Marilynn Tolle and husband Mel; brother, Gene Harper. Art was happily married to Doris Harper, who preceded him in death in 1992. The last 19 years of his life were joyously spent with Elizabeth Helen Harper, who also preceded him in death. He was also preceded in death by sons, Michael Harper and Roger Harper.
A funeral service will be held 4:00 p.m., Friday, November 2, 2012 at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home Chapel in Allen, Texas. Interment with military honors will follow at Ridgeview Memorial Park in Allen, Texas. The family will receive friends during a visitation on Thursday evening beginning at 5:00 p.m. at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to www.woundedwarriorproject.org.