Benjamin William Harper was born November 21, 1922, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, to John Henry and Irene Marie Toothman Harper. He died Wednesday, February 15, 2017, in Claremore, Oklahoma, at the age of 94 years. Ben was reared and educated in Tulsa and was a graduate of Webster High School. He continued his education attending Tulsa Technology Center and the University of Tulsa. He was a veteran of the armed forces having served his country honorably with the United States Navy during World War II with the Seabees. During his Pacific campaigns, he served on 11 different islands. He was married February 1, 1942, in Tulsa to Deloris Marie Chaney and recently celebrated their 75th wedding anniversary. Ben spent most of his working life in the aerospace industry as a machine and tool designer/engineer with North American Rockwell, which later became Boeing. He was a member of the First Christian Church in Owasso, Oklahoma, and the Redfork Lion’s Club in Tulsa. He enjoyed a variety of pastimes including woodworking, fishing, hunting, camping, as well as mechanical work.
Loving family members include:
His wife of over75 years; Deloris, of the home
Son; Dr. Ben W. Harper and wife Colette, of Ada, Oklahoma
Grandchildren;
Dr. Doug Haning and wife Cindy, of Tyler, Texas
John Haning and wife Arlynne, of Claremore, Oklahoma
Leslie Zanoff and husband Raymond, of Fayetteville, Arkansas
Adriane “Ace” Harper and husband Matt Sorum, of Los Angeles, California
Rudi Inge and wife Melissa, of Yukon, Oklahoma
Kaci Crane and husband David, of Solano Beach, California
13 great grandchildren
Son-in-law; Joe Haning, of Owasso, Oklahoma
He was preceded in death by his parents and a daughter, Terrie Ann Haning.
Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Friday, February 17, 2017, at Mowery Funeral Service in Owasso. Funeral service will be held 10:00 a.m. Saturday, February 18, 2017, at the Mowery Funeral Service Chapel in Owasso with Pastor Ben Killion and Dr. Doug Haning officiating. Serving as casket bearers will be Dr. Doug Haning, David Haning, John Haning, John Haning, Jr., and Jennifer Haning. Committal service and interment will follow at Floral Haven Memorial Gardens in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. Arrangements and services were entrusted to Mowery Funeral Service of Owasso.
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