Dan Thomas Harper, born on September 14, 1948 in Knoxville, TN, died on February 2, 2013 in Belem, Brazil while on a cruise to Rio de Janiero, an important destination on his bucket list.
He graduated from Clarksville High School in 1966. He attended the University of Tennessee-Knoxville for several years. He graduated with a degree in Agriculture from Austin Peay State University.
He was an active and capable salesman, working in many fields including Real Estate and Men's Clothing. Among the many Men's stores in which he worked was Petway-Reavis, McPherson's, Dillards, and the Oxford Shop.
Having had to retire early due to health problems, he was still able to travel to many areas, including the Queen Charlotte Islands and Newfoundland in Canada, the Yucatan in Mexico, New Zealand, Tahiti, Norway, Denmark, Iceland, remote Scotland, England, and the dordogne in France, many states in the U.S., particularly California, New Mexico, Oregon, and Washington. Much of his travel was to further his knowledge of history and Paleo-history.
He was a devoted collector of Paleo-Indian artifacts and a long-standing member of the Volunteer State Archeological Society. Dan had a great love of nature. He hiked, backpacked, and sea-kayaked in many locations around the world. These visits inspired him to become a landscape painter.
His parents were Ewing Harper and Lillian Goldtrap Harper of Adams, TN. He is survived by his brothers, Don Harper of Seattle and Robert Harper of Adams; sister, Julia Harper Boyd of Adams; niece, Sarah; and nephew, Michael Boyd. He cherished the close relationship and tender care given to him by his good friend of many years, Genie Laurent.
Funeral service will be held on Thursday, February 28, 2013 at 11 a.m. At Neal-Tarpley-Parchman Chapel. Burial will be in Bellwood Cemetery in Adams, TN. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, February 27, 2013 from 4-7 p.m. and Thursday, February 28, 2013 from 10 a.m. until the hour of service at the funeral home.
Arrangements entrusted to Neal-Tarpley-Parchman Funeral Home, 1510 Madison Street, Clarksville, TN 37040. Online condolences may be made at www.neal-tarpley.com.