Don Harp

Donald Leon Harp, our beloved husband, father, and grandfather, was welcomed into glory to be with his Lord and Savior on Jan. 15, 2011. He was born Jan. 6, 1928, in Springdale, Ark., to Harvard and Floy Harp. He was the oldest son of four children. He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Reland Harp and sister, Judy Harp Vanhoose. He is survived by his brother, Gerald Harp. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Martha Miller Harp and is survived by his present wife, Jeanne Justis Harp. He is also survived by his children, Julie Priest and husband Mark, Patti Pianalto and husband Dwain, Dawn Michelle Benson and husband Walter, Tina Clouse and husband Jerry, and Gina Bell and husband Brett, as well as Jeff Justis and wife Kim, Jana Cate and husband Devin, and Joe Justis and wife Lisa. He loved and was adored by his grandchildren, Virgie Chandler, the late Bryan Reynolds, Brandon Reynolds and wife Cassie, Nathan Reynolds, Kaila Pianalto, Katie Pianalto, Jaclynn Pianalto, Chad Benson and wife Kathryn, Caleb Benson, Shane Benson, Judi Bell, Briana Bell, Kendra Bell, Alexa Bell, John Michael Justis, Sarah Cate, Mack Cate, Ashley Meyer and husband Adam, Kristin Justis, and Tuesdae Justis. Don also had four great-grandchildren, Jeren Chandler, Julia Chandler, Jaqlynn Chandler and Elijah Justis. He is also survived by lifelong friends, Bill and Louise Ferguson. He was truly a family man and friend to so many. Don loved his country. He served as a paratrooper in the U.S. Army, 82nd Airborne from August 1946 to January 1948, and also served in the Air Force as a first lieutenant from 1951 to 1953. Don had a heart for community service; he was an Eagle Scout, served as a member of the Kiwanis Club of Springdale and served a term as president. He was a Legion of Honor member and received the George F. Hixson Fellowship Award. He served as president of Springdale Country Club, was on the board of the Associated Wholesale Grocers in Springfield, Mo., served on the Springdale Memorial Hospital Board for 30 years, served on the Chamber of Commerce. He was a member of the Arkansas Polled Hereford Association and was a Polled Hereford breeder. One of his greatest loves was serving on the Rodeo of the Ozarks board for 25 years. He was a fullback for Springdale High School and continued to support the Springdale Bulldogs throughout his life. He graduated from the U of A where he served as a member of the Air Force ROTC and graduated with a business/economics degree. He was a supporter of the U of A Razorback Foundation, the Republican Party, and was a member of Phi Delta Theta. He loved to hunt and was a Golden Eagle Member of the NRA. When he was 12 years old, he worked in his dad's Cash Grocery where he learned the grocery business. After college and serving in the military, in 1953, he formed a partnership with his father, which later became Harps Food Stores. His brothers, Gerald and Reland Harp later joined him in the business. In his later years, he developed and ran Harp's Properties. He was a faithful member of First Baptist Church of Springdale, now Cross Church, where he served as an usher, greeter, and member of the finance committee. The family was blessed to have wonderful caregivers in Don's last days: Roseanne Leverich, Juana Hernandez, Allen Wood and Donna Lasiter. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday night at Sisco Funeral Chapel of Springdale. The funeral service will be held at Cross Church (formerly First Baptist Church of Springdale) at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 18, with the Rev. Cliff Palmer and the Rev. Charlie Foster officiating. Interment will be at Friendship Cemetery in Springdale. Pallbearers will be Tex Holt, Tom Reed, John Gladden, Cecil Phillips, Dr. Jim Rollins and Jim Fuller. Honorary pallbearers will be Larry Cook, Jerry Stamps, past and present Rodeo of the Ozarks board of directors and secretary, and Janet Edwards. Charitable contributions can be made to the Springdale Kiwanis Club Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 652, Springdale, AR 72765, or the Oklahoma and Arkansas Chapter of Alzheimer's Association, P.O. Box 96011, Washington, D.C. 20090-6011.

Don Harp

January 15, 2011