Robert Leroy Harper entered this world on December 27, 1926 in Quincy, Missouri. He was the first of eight (8) children born to Robert Otha Harper and Eula Bell Wood. After serving his country in the Army he returned home to marry Mary F. Jones on May 24, 1947 and then in 1954, proudly bought his farm and raised his four children. Farming was what he knew, but he also had his “town” jobs. His life revolved around his farm. He was a humble man who worked hard and was always ready to lend a hand to neighbors and friends. His sense of humor showed through when naming his pigs after sister-in-laws. He trained his milk cows to come to the barn when he called their names and he loved to whistle while he worked.
He is survived by his sisters, Opal Crowl of Quincy and Zelpha Maupin of Kansas City and brother Paul Harper of Kansas City. Daughters Cheryl Bailey (Karl) of Clinton, Sandra Hutsler (Larry) of Osceola, Robbie Barnes (Cal) of Adrian and son Theron (Helene) of Dallas, Texas. Grandchildren: Jon Hutsler, Jill Werdrick (Jason), Lisa Kiefer, Lori Barnes, Kelly Barnes (Trista), Chloe O’Conner, Emma Harper and Ethan Harper. Great-grandchildren Andrew Kiefer, Nicholas Hutsler, Jase Werdrick, Kylah Barnes and, Harper Hess.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Junior, Leslie, Owen and infant sister Edna Bell. Grandson Charles David Hutsler (1973) and granddaughter Charley Louise Hutsler (2014).
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