Mr. James “Jim” Bruce Harper

Mr. James “Jim” Bruce Harper, 100, of Columbus, passed away peacefully on January 8, 2025, at his residence, surrounded by his loving family.

A graveside service for Mr. Harper will be held 1:00pm, Monday, January 13, 2025 at Parkhill Cemetery, 4161 Macon Road, Columbus, GA, with Rev. Kevin Calhoun officiating and Rev. Lewis “Bud” Passmore assisting. Active pallbearers will be Jimbo Harper, Joe Harper, Jake Harper, Taylor Harper, Branson Odum, and Joe Rutledge. Family visitation will be held graveside immediately following the funeral service.

Mr. Harper was born on September 3, 1924, in East Tallassee, AL, to his late parents, Earl Harper and Amanda Corine Harper. He proudly served in the United States Army for three years during World War II, rising to the rank of Sergeant. Mr. Harper attended Howard College (now Samford University) and Princeton University before graduating from Alabama Polytechnic Institute (now Auburn University) in 1948. He was a retired Insurance Adjuster and Small Business Owner in the Property Insurance Claims field, having worked for many years alongside his wife at their business, Harper Adjustment Company.

Mr. Harper accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior early in life, while being raised in the home of his step-father, Baptist minister Rev. R. W. Stuckey, after the passing of his father. He was a faithful follower of Jesus Christ since those early years, including serving as a dedicated member at Hilton Terrace Baptist Church in Columbus, GA, for more than 55 years of his life. While at Hilton Terrace, Mr. Harper served as a Deacon, taught several different Sunday School classes, served on numerous church committees, and sang in the adult sanctuary choir. Mr. Harper enjoyed every aspect of an active church life and missed being able to be a part of that during the last few years of his life due to health issues. Although Mr. Harper could no longer attend in person, he still enjoyed church services on television, watching services from both First Baptist and St. Luke churches every Sunday morning. Mr. Harper, affectionately known as “Granddaddy” by his entire family, loved his family dearly, and enjoyed and cherished every moment he spent with them. Also, win or lose, he was a tremendous fan and life-long supporter of his Auburn Tigers and Atlanta Braves. War Eagle!

Along with his parents and step-father, Mr. Harper was preceded in death by his loving wife of 67 years, Fredanna “Freddie” Jones Harper, his brother, Mack Harper, and three sisters, Grace Reid, Eleanor Webster, and Lois Hinson. Mr. Harper is survived by two sons, Jimmy Harper and his wife, Christina, and Chris Harper and his wife, Penny, six grandchildren, Jimbo Harper and his wife, Peyton, Joe Harper and his wife, Caraline, Jake Harper and his wife, Laile, Taylor Harper and his wife, Kendall, Morganne Harper, and Branson Odum and his wife, Nicole, and eleven great-grandchildren, Riley Harper, Hudson Harper, Hampton Harper, Bentley Harper, Charlotte Harper, Graham Harper, Reece Harper, Wes Harper, Bo Odum, Grady Odum, and Brody Odum.

Mr. Harper was blessed with many dear friends and neighbors who exhibited love and caring beyond what would normally be expected, and both he and his family were very grateful. Mr. Harper and his family were also extremely blessed by having so many special caregivers who treated Mr. Harper, and the entire Harper family, as if they were one of their own during his difficult last years. For that we cannot thank full-time caregivers Sandy, “Weekday” Wanda, Kathryn, “Weekend” Wanda, Alicia, Sylvania, and Laurie, as well as very special hospital staffers Teia and Cassidy, plus hospice nurses Emily and Tiffany, nearly enough. We will forever be grateful for the love and compassion they showed our father and grandfather.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made by mail, in the name of Mr. Jim Harper, to Hilton Terrace Baptist Church, 2236 Warm Springs Road, Columbus, GA, 31904