Edward E. Harper (Ed), age 80, passed away on October 25 at his home in Nassau Bay, Texas.  He was born on January 3,1944 in Orlando, Florida to Gene and Estelle Harper.  He is survived by: his wife Betty Harper; his daughter Cindy Harper Allen and husband Keith, and their children Kyle Allen and wife Audrey of Dallas, Reese Allen of Washington D.C. and Libby Allen of Pearland; and daughter Jenny Harper Rowlands and husband Alwyn of London, England; and his sister Linda Harper Myles of Orlando.

Ed graduated from the University of Florida in 1968 where he earned a Masters of Science in Civil Engineering.  He married Betty Wampler of Orlando, Florida in 1966 and just celebrated 58 wonderful years of marriage in August.

Ed accepted an offer to work for Enjay Chemicals, predecessor to Exxon Chemical Company, in Baton Rouge.  He completed 35 ½ years with Exxon and retired from the company in 2004.

He had a passion for outdoor activities, including fishing, hunting, golf, baseball, and camping, and he always involved his family.   He had a “can do” attitude:  if he wasn’t sure how to make, do, or fix something, the research began!  One example of this was building a marimba for his grandson.  Getting the keys tuned was challenging, but he pulled it off successfully.  In retirement, he filled our garage with wood working tools, building furniture pieces for the ranch house.  He enjoyed spending time at the ranch, his happy place, which turned out to be the biggest project of his life.

Ed was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather, and he will be sorely missed.   A memorial will be held on November 29 at 10:00 a.m. at Crowder funeral home on Medical Center Boulevard in Webster, Texas.  In lieu of flowers, those wishing to make a memorial donation may do so to St Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital at:

PO Box 1000 Dept 495

Memphis, TN  38101

or online at stjude.org