Cledis “Ray” Harper, 81, a lifelong resident of Connersville, went home to be with the Lord Thursday morning, September 1, 2022 at the Dayton VA Medical Center, Dayton, Ohio after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.
Ray was born March 31, 1941 in Connersville, one of three children of Cledis Virgil Harper and Lillian Louise McHenry Harper.
In 1958, Ray served his country four years in the United States Navy and served in the Asiatic area until his honorable discharge in 1961.
Following his service, he returned to Connersville. He was employed at Design & Manufacturing and became a production supervisor until its closing. He then became employed at the Carpenter’s Bus Factory, then Richmond Door Company, and later at Residential CRF until his retirement.
On June 18, 1982, he married Lillian Sue Lakes Pflum at the Little Pink Chapel in Las Vegas. Over the next forty years they built their life together, and she continues to carry on their legacy.
In his leisure, Ray enjoyed fishing, hunting, cooking, and spending time in Florida. Most of all, he loved participating in activities with his family and friends.
Survivors, other than his wife of 40 years, Lillian Sue Harper, include three children, Melissa “Renee” McKinley of Connersville, Michael Ray Harper of Hamilton, Ohio, and Bryan (Amy Rose) Pflum of Connersville; three grandchildren, Danielle (James Fry) Atkinson, Hope Elizabeth Pflum, and Michael Ray Harper, Jr., all of Connersville; three great grandchildren, James, Calvin, and Malachi Fry, all of Connersville; two sisters, Linda Weaver of Connersville and Carolyn (David Pardue) Walcott of McCordsville, Indiana; two special puppies, the “Harper boys”, Hershey and Coco; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a special cousin, Ralph E. McHenry, Jr.
Friends may visit from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. Tuesday, September 6, 2022 at Miller, Moster, Robbins Funeral Home. A Celebration of Life will be held at 6:00 p.m. with Eric Hopkins officiating.
The family prefers memorial contributions be made in memory of Ray to the VA Fisher House Foundation. If you would like to send a gift, however, the family requests planters rather than floral arrangements.
Online condolences may be made anytime at millermosterrobbins.com.