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Ross Edmond Harper
1915-2008
Ross Edmond Harper, age 93, beloved husband, father, and grandfather returned to the loving arms of his Heavenly Father on Friday, November 28, 2008 in Nephi, Utah. He was surrounded by his wife and children after a strong and courageous battle from causes incident to age.
He was born November 20, 1915 in St. George, Utah, to Edmond and Olive Gray Harper, the oldest of seven children. He was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in the St. George Temple. He married Floy Nielsen on December 24, 1940 in Parowan, Utah, on a snowy Christmas Eve. They were getting ready to celebrate 68 years together, a real milestone.
Ross had to quit school at the age of 16 in order to support his mother and siblings, due to his father’s failing health. He drove truck at an early age making many trips to Los Angeles. In 1946 he bought a farm in Levan, Utah, and became a successful dry land wheat farmer. Ross served on the ASC Board for many years and was voted Outstanding Weed Worker in 1983. In 1977 he was honored by Utah State University for 35 years of exemplary service in Utah agriculture through cooperative efforts in research and demonstration on farm testing. In 1967 his wheat took the sweepstakes at the Utah State Fair.
He had deep roots in St. George, walking the dirt roads as a child and hunting and fishing there. He enjoyed going back to hunt with his childhood buddy, Evan Whitehead. They spent 65 years together on many fishing and hunting trips, beginning with their wives, and then with their sons teaching them hunting skills in the mountains of Pine Valley. Later the circle included in-laws and grandchildren. Many memories were made around the campfire as stories were shared and embellished each year.
He is survived by his wife, Floy of Levan; his children, John (Diane) of West Valley; Ron (Noreen) of Levan; Susan (Blair) Painter of Nephi; Shirlee (Phil) Diamond of Benjamin; Brent (Debbie) of Green River, WY; 17 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren; brother, Kenneth Harper of Logan; sister, Mary Brisk of Clearfield. Preceded in death by his parents; brothers Jack and Keith Harper; sisters, Helen Stratton and Berniece Peterson; grandson, Dustin Harper Diamond, whom he was looking forward to seeing; and best friend, Evan Whitehead.
We love you and are grateful for the many valuable lessons you taught us through your fine example. There will be emptiness in our hearts until we meet again.
Funeral services were held at 12 noon, Monday, December 1, 2008 in the Levan LDS Chapel. Interment in the Levan Cemetery. Arrangements under direction of Anderson Funeral Home, Nephi, UT.
Mary Johnson
1943-2008
Mary Gayle Simmonds Johnson of Spring City passed away November 20, 2008 at the Mount Pleasant Hospital. Mary was born September 3, 1943 to Gilbert Yale and Aleda Nelson Simmonds in Murray, Utah.
Mary married her sweetheart and best friend, James Roland Johnson, March 29, 1975 in San Francisco, California, and later sealed in the Mesa Arizona Temple. She was a member of the DUP and loved to do quilting and make beautiful pieces by hand.
She is survived by her husband, James of Spring City and her children, Brent (Jolene) Campbell of Nephi, Linda (George) Christian of Greenville, Mississippi, Jon (Kristen) Johnson of Fairview, Jennifer (Scot) Sorenson of Spring City, Paul (Kristen) Johnson of Payson, Darin (Angela) Johnson of Spanish Fork, Michael Johnson of Spring City. Also survived by 2 sisters, Barbara (Ed) Bryant of Buhl, Idaho, Nadine Piccardo of Marago, California. and 1 brother, Donald (Sammie) Simmonds of Vernal, 22 grandchildren, and 6 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held Saturday, November 22, 2008 in the Spring City 1st Ward Chapel.
Kathy Potter
1967-2008
Kathy Sue Sperry Potter, 41, died Dec. 1, 2008 at the Madison Memorial Hospital in Rexburg, Idaho, following a valiant battle with cancer.
Kathy was born Nov. 8, 1967 in Nephi, Utah, the fourth child of Ned and Mattie Sperry. Kathy spent her childhood in Nephi and is a graduate of Juab High School. She married Robert H. Potter on Nov. 22, 1986 in Nephi, UT. The marriage was later solemnized in the Salt Lake LDS temple.
The Potter family currently resides in Rexburg, ID, and had previous residency in Nephi and Grantsville, UT, and Warwick, RI.
Kathy was a very caring and loving person. She worked with the handicapped through Mozic Care and with the elderly through home health. She was a diligent caregiver and loved all those she helped. Kathy will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her. A special thanks to her best friends, Felina Kelsey and Deann Baxter.
She is survived by her husband, Robert, Rexburg, ID; a daughter, Brittany Potter, St. Anthony; two sons; Tyler Potter, Idaho Falls, ID, and Kobie Potter, Rexburg, ID; parents Ned and Mattie Sperry, Nephi, UT; sisters, Debbie (Justin) Winn, Julie Randolph; brothers, Kevin (Sheryl) Sperry, all of Nephi,UT, and Jeremy Sperry, Salt Lake City, UT; grandmother, Gladyse Stang, Delta, UT; and Robert’s parents, Dick and Mary Potter, Chester, ID.
Funeral services will be conducted Thursday, Dec. 4, 2008, at 11:00 a.m. in the Bidwell Funeral Home in St. Anthony, ID. Friends and relatives may call at the funeral home one hour prior to the services. A second service will be held on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2008, at 11:00 a.m. in the Nephi LDS Stake Center. Friends and relatives may call from 9:30-11:00 a.m. prior to the service. The services will be concluded at Vine Bluff Cemetery with Anderson Funeral Home in Nephi, UT.
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