Reverend Harry Taylor Harper, 97, of Chaptico, Maryland, passed away the evening of February 24, 2024, at home with his wife and family. Born on June 4, 1926, in Summer Hill, NSW, Australia, he was the son of the late Charles Oswald Harper and the late Lilias Taylor. Harry was the loving husband of Ramona Holmes Harper. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his children, Corryl Lynette Harper of Dunedin, New Zealand; Peter Harry Harper of Dunedin, New Zealand; Scott Gordon Harper and wife Stephanie, of Kensington, Maryland; step-daughter Cindy Pratt and step-son Dick Johnson, of Chaptico, Maryland. He also leaves a sister, Laurel Kokic, of Sydney, Australia, and two grandchildren, Caillin Nichols of Dunedin, New Zealand and Brianna Harper of Olympia, Washington. Harry is preceded in death by son Mark Stephen Harper.
Harry was ordained as an Episcopal priest in New Zealand in 1956. He served as an ordained minister for 62 years. During his career Reverend Harper pastored churches in Australia, New Zealand, and the United States.
Reverend Harper was especially fond of music and the arts and maintained a personal library containing over three thousand volumes. Harry was also a dedicated gardener and a gifted cook. The family will receive friends for a memorial service on Friday, March 8, at 11:00 A.M. at All Saint’s Church, Oakely, with Reverend Greg Syler of Resurrection Parish officiating and the Bishop of Washington, Mariann Budde, presiding.
Reverend Peter Ackerman, Rector of Christ Church, Chaptico, will deliver the sermon. Interment will follow at the church cemetery.
Condolences may be made to the family at www.mgfh.com.
Arrangements provided by the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home and Cremation Services, P.A., Leonardtown, Maryland.