Obituary for SSG Carl Randall "Randy" Harper, Retired
HOUSTON COUNTY: SSG Carl Randall "Randy" Harper, Retired, 52, died Monday, December 9, 2019. The family will greet friends from 12:00pm-1:00pm, Thursday, December 12, 2019, at Gray Memorial Chapel in Gray. Funeral services will follow at 1:00pm, in the funeral home chapel with Rev. Kim Washburn officiating. Interment will be private at Georgia Veteran's Memorial Cemetery in Milledgeville.
SSG Harper was born September 23, 1967, in Macon and was raised by his grandmother: Ophelia Harper. He was a 1985 graduate of Jones County High School and was always a proud greyhound! His favorite number was always 36, his high school football jersey number and he was an avid Georgia Tech fan. SSG Harper joined the Navy immediately after high school and served out of San Diego on the USS Constellation and the USS Essex. He earned many decorations and service awards during his military career and was chosen on many occasions as an escort for famous people because of his decorum and sharp dress, he was even named "Best Dressed" in his senior class at JCHS.
After returning to Georgia, he served on the Macon Police Department and The Jones County Sheriff's Office before resigning law enforcement to work for Norfolk Southern Railroad. Later he enlisted in the Army National Guard, where he was called into active duty to serve in Afghanistan. He retired with twenty-one years of total military service and was very proud of his military career, sharing stories with anyone who would listen.
SSG Harper loved sports, especially football, and coached several children's and teen's sports teams in Georgia and California. He had a very outgoing personality and was known as a big practical joker. SSG Harper had been attending Southside Baptist Church in Warner Robins where he was to be baptized as a new member.
SSG Harper is survived by his girlfriend and companion: Karen Souther; father: Doug Harper (Patsy); sisters: Jeanene Kelly and Marlene Batchelor (Ricky) two half-brothers, son: Dallas Harper. and multiple nieces and nephews.
Gray Memorial Chapel is honored to be entrusted with the arrangements for SSG Harper. Please visit our online memorial at www.graymemorialchapel.com.
SSG Harper was born September 23, 1967, in Macon and was raised by his grandmother: Ophelia Harper. He was a 1985 graduate of Jones County High School and was always a proud greyhound! His favorite number was always 36, his high school football jersey number and he was an avid Georgia Tech fan. SSG Harper joined the Navy immediately after high school and served out of San Diego on the USS Constellation and the USS Essex. He earned many decorations and service awards during his military career and was chosen on many occasions as an escort for famous people because of his decorum and sharp dress, he was even named "Best Dressed" in his senior class at JCHS.
After returning to Georgia, he served on the Macon Police Department and The Jones County Sheriff's Office before resigning law enforcement to work for Norfolk Southern Railroad. Later he enlisted in the Army National Guard, where he was called into active duty to serve in Afghanistan. He retired with twenty-one years of total military service and was very proud of his military career, sharing stories with anyone who would listen.
SSG Harper loved sports, especially football, and coached several children's and teen's sports teams in Georgia and California. He had a very outgoing personality and was known as a big practical joker. SSG Harper had been attending Southside Baptist Church in Warner Robins where he was to be baptized as a new member.
SSG Harper is survived by his girlfriend and companion: Karen Souther; father: Doug Harper (Patsy); sisters: Jeanene Kelly and Marlene Batchelor (Ricky) two half-brothers, son: Dallas Harper. and multiple nieces and nephews.
Gray Memorial Chapel is honored to be entrusted with the arrangements for SSG Harper. Please visit our online memorial at www.graymemorialchapel.com.