It is with a heavy heart that we received the news from Bobby Richardson and Don Thompson that Raymond Harper passed away on December 18, 2020. He had a couple of strokes and then he ended up with Covid-19 is what we were told.
Raymond Harper was a long time resident of Trenton, TN and made it to 92 years old. For years he was the caretaker of Tennessee Beagle Club and owned the land. Without him, Tennessee did not exist. When they closed the doors, the Double Header moved to Memphis and is now the Dixieland and Natchez Trace Double Header which will start this year on January 7-10, 2021. Raymond was partners with his son, the late Mike Harper and ran their dogs under the kennel name West Creek and won many trials and finished field champions. He judged many trials and was good friends with Cecil Brown, General Myrick, Lester Walker and many others. He judged his last license trial with Don Thompson at Memphis. Raymond and Don were quite the team at Tennessee Beagle Club and even after they closed the doors, Don continued to be Field Trial Secretary for Dixieland and Natchez Trace.
We thank Raymond for his years of hard work at Tennessee and the help he gave other beagle clubs through the years. There are many cherished memories at TN as people came from not only TN, but MO, MI, MS, IL, KY, OH, PA, etc., after Christmas and around New Years. Rest in Peace my friend and please watch over us; as you will forever be in our hearts and live on through the many cherished memories. As you enter that Hall of Fame in the Sky, please remember.....
June 09, 1928 - December 18, 2020
Private graveside services at Oakland Cemetery will be held on Monday, December 21 at 2:00 PM for Raymond Edmond Harper. The service will follow CDC and the state of Tennessee recommendations including appropriate social distancing protocol and wearing face masks.
Mr.Harper, age 92, passed away on December 18, 2020. A lifetime resident of Trenton and Dyer, Mr. Harper was the son of late John P. and Virginia Taylor Harper.
He was preceded in death by his wives, Martha Nell Cannon Harper and Jeanette King Harper; his son, John Michael Harper; step-daughter, Janice Sessum; and brother, Marion Harper.
Mr. Harper retired from Gibson Electric Company and was a skilled carpenter. He was an avid member of the Tennessee Beagle Club, raising field trial beagles. He actively competed and judged field trials throughout the country. He was a member of Trenton First Baptist Church.
Mr. Harper is survived by daughter, Suzanne (Roger) Hickerson, step-son Brandt (Gail) Jercinovich, and daughter-in-law Sandra Harper. Grandchildren are Clint (Nichi) Hickerson, Martha Carol Hickerson (Blake) Spellings; Celeste Harper (Trey) Poppenheimer, and Michelle Harper (Matt) Thie, and Eric Jercinovich. Great grandchildren are Harper and Allie Poppenheimer; Madden, Cannon, and Keller Thie; Olivia Sessum; Colin and Taylor Hickerson; and Mia Spellings.
Pall bearers are Trey Poppenheimer, Matt Thie, Blake Spellings, Peyton Harper, Eric Jercinovich, and Logan Rice.
Memorial donations can be made to Trenton First Baptist Church, 401 South High Street, Trenton, Tennessee 38382.