J. Paul Harper, 92, passed away Sunday, January 1, 2017 at his home in Winchester, Virginia.

He was born on February 29, 1924 at Circleville, WV and was the son of the late Boyd and Kitty Harper.

He was a Veteran, having served in the U.S. Air Force, achieving the rank of Senior Master Sergeant before he retired.

Paul flew 70 missions in a B-25 during WWII and was the recipient of the Purple Heart and numerous other medals.

He later became a certified Electrical Master II electrician and worked for Baker and Anderson for many years.

Paul was a man of great faith and conviction and a dedicated member of the North Fork Apostolic Church in Riverton, WV and the Cornerstone United Pentecostal Church in Winchester, VA.

He had a deep appreciation and love for Pastor Fosdick and Mrs. Fosdick, with whom he had a long and lasting friendship.

Paul was a member of the Winchester Shenandoah Area Senior Center.

He very much enjoyed the fellowship with the friends he made there, especially "Sir Tom" the van driver and Tina Landis, the director.

Paul was an avid hunter and fisherman and enjoyed reminiscing about the many seasons of deer hunting with his dad and brothers.

In 1945, he married Velma Pennybacker, who preceded him in death in 1986 (after 41 years of marriage).

He was also preceded in death by his second wife, Mary Judy, on April 12, 2006 (after 18 years of marriage).

Nine brothers, Ward, Steve, Ralph, Glen, James, Wade, Weiford, Sammy and Robert Harper and three sisters, Mary Lambert Judy, Evelyn Harper and Annie Ruby Harper also preceded him in death.


Surviving are –

One son –

Dale (& wife, Shirley) Harper of Riverton, WV

One sister –

Alice Harper Will of Blue Grass, VA

One stepson –

John Pennybacker of Oxon Hill, MD

One stepdaughter –

Joann Holman of Fort Worth, TX

A number of grandchildren

And many nieces and nephews.

His niece, Edna Chestnut, and her husband, Bobby, were his caregivers at the time of his passing.

The family will receive friends from 10:00 – 11:00 AM Thursday, January 5, 2017 at Kimble Funeral Home, 80 South Main Street, Franklin, WV.

A funeral service will be conducted at 11:00 AM Thursday in the chapel of the Kimble Funeral Home with Pastor Richard Fosdick officiating.

A graveside service and interment will be conducted at 3:00 PM Thursday at Mt. Hebron Cemetery in Winchester, Virginia.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Winchester Shenandoah Area Agency on Aging, 1001 E. Cork Street, Winchester, VA 22601 or the North Fork Apostolic Church in Riverton, WV.

Kimble Funeral Home - January 2, 2017