James Gar Harper, 96, of Seneca Rocks passed away on July 31, 2026, at Grant Rehabilitation and Care Center in Petersburg.
Born on April 2, 1930, in Onego, he was the son of the late George E. Harper and Beula (Ketterman) Harper.
Mr. Harper was an Army veteran of the Korean War.
He was employed by Martin Marietta in Middle River, Maryland, and Delphi Packard in Warren, Ohio, as a heat treatment specialist.
After retirement he moved back to West Virginia and enjoyed gardening and helped build many churches.
He was an active member of the North Fork Baptist Church in Riverton, and he loved his church family.
He was the last surviving member of his immediate family.
He and his late wife, Gail, are survived by three daughters, Cindy Kares and husband, Al of Fairfax, Virginia, Dottie Johnson of Greene, Ohio, and Karen Hood and husband, Jerry of Winder, Georgia; seven grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
His wife, Wilma R. (Aldridge) Harper, survives.
Also surviving are a stepdaughter, Nicole Cassidy of Warren, Ohio; a stepson, Tom Pappas and wife, Denese of Warren, Ohio; four step-grandchildren; five step-great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Gail C. (Smith) Harper in 2000; two grandchildren, an infant grandson and Krista Ronai; five brothers; and seven sisters.
A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. today at the North Fork Baptist Church with Jerry Swain officiating. Burial will be at the North Fork Memorial Cemetery in Riverton with military honors by the United States Army Honor Guard and Grant County Veterans Honor Guard.
Memorial contributions may be made to the North Fork Baptist Church or charity of the donor’s choice.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Schaeffer Funeral Home in Petersburg.
