John Harper Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

John Harper slipped away peacefully in his sleep to be with Jesus on the evening of Wednesday, Dec. 14, after a long battle with Multiple Sclerosis (M.S.). He was born in Orlando, FL, on Oct. 3, 1956. John was a member of the First Baptist Church of Orlando while growing up and later joined the College Park Baptist Church for a time. His early education included attending Fern Creek Elementary School, Glenridge Junior High School, and Winter Park High School; graduating from Edgewater High School in 1974. John went on to graduate from the University of Florida in 1977 with a B.A in English. He then attended Stetson Law School in St. Petersburg, Fl. for one year and subsequently graduated from the Levin College of Law at UF in 1980. He took and passed the Florida State bar exam and started his legal career at the Seminole County D.A.’s Office, as a Public Defender. In 1982, John joined Pitts & Eubanks law firm in Orlando, and in 1986 he opened his own personal injury law practice. John’s passion and talent for writing and teaching eventually surpassed his desire to practice law, and in 1990 he moved to New York City and enrolled at New York University, wherehe received a Master’s Degree in creative writing just a year later. John then returned to Orlando and began his teaching career at Seminole Community College, and later at Stetson University, and FAMU Law School. Along with writing Book Reviews for the Orlando Sentinel, John wrote poetry and completed two books of fiction. In the late 1990’s John moved to Pierson, Fl. to live with his brother Russ, but now commuting to Orlando to teach legal writing at FAMU Law School until his declining health prevented it. John continued writing until the end, having written an excellent poem only days before his death. John grew-up traversing on the weekends with the rest of the Harper family between Orlando and Pierson, Fl. to visit his dad’s grandparents. In the small town setting of Pierson, Johnlearned to love nature and the outdoors; spending much of his spare time hunting, fishing, and exploring with his brothers and nephews. He also loved attending Florida Gator football games at the “Swamp” with family and friends, even after he began to lose his mobility. His indomitable spirit and love of life and people kept him going long after many others would have succumbed to the Progressive M.S. that stole his mobility, but not his joy for life. He never complained or even allowed that he was feeling poorly. Growing up, John most certainly was inspired by a family friend, Donald McMillen, who had a cabin that adjoined the cabin owned by the Harper family and others on Wildcat Lake in the Ocala National Forrest. Donald was severely disabled in a car accident at the early age of seventeen. John was witness to Donald’s irrepressible spirit and tenacity as he drove alone on the weekends from DeLand, Fl. for many years to join John and the other camp members to observe and film the deer hunt, as well as, any wildlife he saw, and to participate in general camp activities. Donald’s example must have undoubtedly inspired and prepared John to face the great adversity that was to come. He is survived by his beloved brother Mike of Orlando; his Nephews, Rusty, Benjamin, Barry, and Robbie; his Niece, Priscilla; and Great Nephews & Nieces, Jacob, Hillary, Luke, Hannah, Grayson, Eli, Owen and Nora. Other loved ones who had a significant influence on John’s life include Cousin Marilyn Gillespie Mahoney and her husband, Pat; Cousin Jim Conroy, and his good friend George Olsian; and John’s late Uncle’s, James Peek and Col. Donald Conroy (U.S.M.C.); along with many other beloved Conroy, Gillespie, and Peek cousins; as well as friends Dr. Danny Ledbetter of Seattle, Washington, and Attorney Mark Hand of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. John is predeceased by his beloved parents, Helen Vasti Harper and Dr. George Russell Harper (dentist); and his older brother’s, Russ and Bob. John’s family and friends can find comfort in the many memories they have of John over the years, and in his poems, which the family plan to have published into a book. There will be a Memorial Service celebrating John’s life on Wednesday, Jan. 17 at 10:30 AM at the First Baptist Church of Barberville, FL.

John Harper

October 3, 1956 - December 14, 2017

Obituary & Service

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John Harper

October 3, 1956 - December 14, 2017

Obituary & Service

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