Donald Gene Harper Sr., formerly of Peculiar, MO passed away Sunday, June 28, 2026 at the Freeman Hospital in Fort Scott, KS.

Donald was born November 29, 1937 at the family home in Peculiar. He was the eldest child of Herb and Florence Harper.

He married Sheryl Harper (Garten) on May 18, 1957 at the Harrisonville Baptist Church. They were blessed with six children, Donnie, Jonalin, Sherri, Jeff, John Philip, and Tim.

Donald lived most of his life in and around Peculiar and worked as a heavy machine operator helping build Crown Center and later as an entrepreneur. He was a deacon at the Peculiar First Baptist Church and Pleasant Prairie Baptist Church.

Donald was preceded in death by his beloved wife Sheryl Harper, sons Jeffrey Harper and John Philip, his parents Herb and Florence Harper, and his brother Jerry Harper.

Cherishing his memory are his surviving children Donald Harper, Jr. (Julie) Hutchinson KS, Jonalin Witt (Larry) Raymore MO, Sherri Catron Harrisonville MO, and Timothy Harper (Janet) Fort Scott KS; Jim Harper St. Petersburgh FL, Vicki Coleman Raymore MO; ten grandchildren: Amanda, Matthew, Laura, Ashleigh, Zach, Michael, Katie, Seth, Jonathan, and Shaydon – plus numerous beloved great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

A graveside service will be held Saturday, July 11th at 11:00 AM at Wills Cemetery, 21825 S Thorngrove Rd, Peculiar, MO 64078. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Special Olympics, Missouri, online at https://support.specialolympics.org/ or submit check to Special Olympics Missouri, Attn: Memorial Giving, 305 Special Olympics Dr., Jefferson City, MO 65101.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, Ft. Scott, Kansas. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.