John Paul Harper, 98, of West Point, VA died at home on November 10, 2022. The son of Samuel Paul and Clara Harper of Andrews, SC he was preceded in death by his wife of 67 years, Jacqueline Cook Harper. Mr. Harper is beloved by four children: Virginia Hester (Michael Hicks) of Columbia, SC; John (Eleanor) of West Point; Paul (Elizabeth) of Raleigh, NC; Nora Kopacki (Steve) of Poquoson; seven grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. John Paul was the last surviving sibling of sisters Sarah Bailey and Mary Harper and brothers, Samuel Robert and Keith Harper.
WWII Veteran and POW, Mr. Harper served as a B-24 nose gunner in the US 8th Air Force in North Pickenham, England, in the 492nd bomb group. Shot down over Germany August 4, 1944 he was captured and interred in Stalag Luft IV in Poland. On February 6, 1945 he and other prisoners were forced to walk for 80 days in the coldest winter on record. They traversed more than five hundred miles from the Baltic Sea to southwest of Berlin before being liberated by Patton’s 104th Timberwolf Division on April 26, 1945. In later life, he was able to share his history and experiences with more than 50 school classes, civic groups, clubs and church groups. He enjoyed many annual reunions with members of the 492nd, with whom he developed close relationships over the years.
Mr. Harper was a graduate of North Carolina State College in 1949, when he began his 40-year forestry career in Georgetown, SC with International Paper Company and later with Great Northern Paper in Blakely, GA. He then moved to Chesapeake Corporation in West Point, VA in 1968 where he retired as a Vice President in 1989.
An avid fisherman, hunter and golfer, when those hobbies were no longer possible due to loss of vision, he took up walking around his neighborhood and visiting with friends.
He was a member of the Society of American Foresters for more than 60 years. Mr. Harper was a member of West Point United Methodist Church. The family extends its sincere gratitude to Amedisys Hospice and Bayada Home Health Care for their care and support, and to the many friends and neighbors who supported him.
A visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. on Friday, November 18th at Vincent Funeral Home, 417 11th St., West Point, VA. A memorial service at West Point United Methodist Church, 1020 Main St., will be held 2 pm, Saturday November 19th. The service will be live-streamed through the West Point UMC Facebook page.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to West Point Historical Society or the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, mightyeighth.org.
