George Harper, 87

Rev. George Harper was born July 4, 1923, in Salem, Ohio, and died in Helena on May 2, 2011.

In between, he lived a remarkable life.

He was a star athlete at Birmingham Southern College in football, basketball, track and baseball. He ran a 4:15 mile, only 11 seconds over the world record. In an exhibition baseball game, he hit a home run off Bob Feller, later a Hall of Fame pitcher.

He married Dorothy Watson, a national oratory winner, actress, dancer and writer of national radio scripts, with a master’s degree, a rarity at that time for women.

George was elected president of the million-member Methodist Youth Fellowship. He was later appointed executive secretary of the National Conference of Methodist Youth. Based in Nashville, Tenn., he traveled world-wide. He became known as a great speaker, a comedian, a man of God, and a believer in youth. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., spoke at two of the interracial rallies he organized. In 1952 George and Dorothy moved to Great Falls to become Youth and Camping Leader for the Montana Methodist Conference. In 1961 he was appointed pastor to St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Helena.

Always a fan of youth and athletics, George became the pole vault coach at Helena High in 1965, and continued until his death. Athletes, especially at Helena High, but also at Capital, Carroll and Rocky Mountain College, have had his support for 50 years. Many a parent who was not United Methodist came to George for counseling, because they could trust a man who supported their children. Helena High named its basketball court for him.

In 1972 he was elected to the Constitutional Convention, one of only two independent delegates. He served on two city committees that planned and built the Helena jail and wrote the Helena city charter. He had written 14 books, including a set of nine that cover the whole Bible in his inimitable style, and three on golf.

An outdoorsman and a fisherman, at age 85, he lost a hearing aid while riding on a zip line over the Costa Rican jungle.

George and Dorothy had five children, Rusty and Pat Callbeck Harper, Hal and Janet Matteucci Harper, Steve and Pam Campbell, Nancy and Michael McNeilly and Jannie Harper Fuhrmann (now deceased) and son-in-law, Randy Fuhrmann and Renee Driessen Fuhrmann; five grandchildren, Robin Harper Cowie and Zac Cowie, Molly Harper Haines and Mark Haines, Emily McNeilly, Hannah Harper and Becca Harper; and two great-grandchildren, Caleb and Greyson Cowie.

The family invites you to a memorial service celebrating his life at 7 p.m. Sunday, May 8, at the Carroll College P.E. Center.

Rather than flowers, memorials in George’s name are suggested to St. Paul’s United Methodist Church Building Fund, 512 Logan, Helena, MT 59601; Rocky Mountain College, 1511 Poly Drive, Billings, MT 59102; Intermountain Children’s Home, 500 S. Lamborn, Helena, MT 59601; Angel Fund (for clothing and supplies for Helena school children), P.O. Box  7436, Helena, MT 59604; or any charity that helps children and youth.

Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.aswfuneralhome.com.