WASHINGTON, D.C. — John Patrick Harper II of Newport, Wash., died Saturday, Jan. 21, at the VA Medical Center in Washington, D.C.
He was born in Lewiston, Dec. 27, 1952, to the late John Patrick Harper Sr. and the late Gladys Marie Comstock. Following his graduation from Edward Little High School in 1971, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. During his 26 years in the Navy, he spent many years stationed overseas and was a veteran of the Persian Gulf War.
Following his retirement, he spent the majority of his years in the state of Washington indulging his new love of horses by breeding and training Appaloosas. A lover of horses and the outdoors, he was thankful for the many people he met and befriended during his journeys.
He is survived by his son, John Patrick Harper III and wife, Amelia; daughter, Christy Harper Ogle and husband, Joey; two grandchildren, Destiny Rae-Anne Harper and Mitchell Ray Ogle; two brothers, Robert J. Harper and Francis V. Nadeau II and wife, Tasha; four sisters, Barbara Jean Harper, Anne Harper Labbe, Erma Louise Brutscher and husband, Marty, and Carol Ellen Turner; as well as South-American brother, Juan Alzate; stepfather, Francis L. Comstock; stepbrother, Scott Comstock; nieces and nephews, Emily, Jason, Justin, Michaela, Michelle, Jenny, Chip, Eric, Jody, Nathan, Seth, Arica, Brittany and Kayla; and many aunts, uncles and cousins.
A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on February 10, 2012 at VFW Post 1603, 588 Minot Avenue in Auburn, Maine.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to either the Veteran’s Hospice Fund or the Fisher House at the following address: Veteran’s Affairs Medical Center, ATTN: Voluntary Services, 50 Irving Street NW, Washington, DC 40422. Please include with any donation Fund Code GPF 1003 for the Veteran’s Hospice Fund or Fund Code GPF 1189 for the Fisher House.
