Robert Harper

HARPER, MR. ROBERT S. Kalamazoo, MI. Robert S. Harper Jr. made his transition from earth to Glory on Monday, December 6, 2021 at home surrounded by his family. He was born July 16, 1936, the first born son to Robert Sr. and Nellie Harper in Detroit, MI. He accepted Christ at an early age and was a member of Tabernacle Baptist Church in Detroit, Michigan. Robert was a student at Detroit Public Schools. He attended Cass Technical High School and later attended Northwestern High School graduating in 1954. After high school he attended Highland Park Community College for a year then transferred to Howard University in Washington D.C. While there he was employed with a limousine service and worked in the Capitol. However, during this time he realized that he really wanted to pursue a career in the funeral profession. So he left Howard and enrolled in school at Eckels College of Mortuary Science in Philadelphia, PA. Robert completed his studies at Eckels and returned to Detroit. After passing the Michigan State Board exam he joined the team of funeral directors at House of Diggs and began as an apprentice with their funeral home. At 25 years of age, he then became one of the youngest licensed funeral directors to work with their firm. During his apprenticeship, he met his wife, Marilyn. In 1962, they united in marriage and to this union 3 children were born: Robert III, Dina and Darryl. Robert was employed with House of Diggs for about 2 years and then joined the staff at Charles T. Cole Funeral Home in Detroit. Robert enjoyed working in the Detroit area but longed to have his own business. He decided to relocate his family and move to Kalamazoo, MI in 1969 where he began his dream of business ownership. After moving his wife and children to Kalamazoo, he united with Galilee Baptist Church, where he was baptized under the leadership of Rev. Mabry Gardner. He later joined and was a faithful member of Christian Life Center which became Stones Church In the early years in Kalamazoo, Robert began to expand his involvement in the community, as one of the organizers of a new businessmen's club called The Progressive Minority Association. He was also a member of fraternal organizations He was awarded for his accomplishments in the latter years by the Black Police Officer's Association, the Minority Business Alliance of Southwest MI for over 35 years of business, and the Michigan Funeral Director's Association for 50-year Licensee. Robert was known to have a "green thumb" to maintain his lawn, shrubs and plant flowers. He was proud to have one of the best-looking lawns in the neighborhood. He also enjoyed fishing especially at Austin Lake. One of his favorite past times was watching sports television especially the Detroit Pistons, and the University of Michigan football team. Robert was a humble man who had a strong faith in God and loved his family. He enjoyed providing for his family, watching his children and grandchildren grow over the years while they excelled in their interests in sports, education and music/band. He was known to give advice with words of wisdom when you talked with him. Even if you had a brief conversation with him, those nuggets of wisdom had a strong impact. He will be greatly missed by his family and all who knew him. Robert was preceded in death by his parent, Robert Sr. and Nellie Harper; his grandmother, Nancy Washington; 1 sister, Edythe Mundy; 3 brother-in-laws, Okey Eanes Jr., Bill Adams and Carl Newland; 2 nephews, Okey Eanes, III and Derek Adams. He leaves to cherish his memories: his loving wife of 59 years, Marilyn; his children, Robert III, Dina and Darryl (Beth); grandchildren, Alex, David, Jazmine, Andru', Kayin, Jenna and Sarah; 2 brothers, Russell and Lawrence; 1 sister Judith; 3 sister-in-laws, Dorris, Ella and Urline and several nieces, nephews, cousins other relatives and friends. A Visitation will be held 4:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Friday, December 17, 2021 at the Galilee Baptist Church, 1216 N. Westnedge Avenue in Kalamazoo. Family and Friends are invited to attend a Celebration of Life Service to be held on Saturday, December 18, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. at the Stones Church, 1225 W. Paterson Street, in Kalamazoo, MI 49007. Doors of the church on Saturday will be open at 9:00 a.m. You will be required to wear a mask to enter the church and social distancing also required. Interment Mt. Ever-Rest Cemetery in Kalamazoo. You may leave words of comfort to the family at: www.harperfuneral.com