Robert Davis Harper, Jr.

Robert Davis (Dave) Harper, Jr., passed away on August 3, 2025, in Abilene, Texas.

Visitation will be held on August 11, 2025, from 5:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. at Hamil Family Funeral Home. A rosary will be said from 6:00 p.m-8:00 p.m.

The Funeral Mass will be held at Holy Family Catholic Church in Abilene, Texas on August 12, 2025, at 10:00 a.m.

Burial will be at Mary Queen of Heaven Cemetery in Malakoff, Texas on August 13, 2025, at 1:00 p.m.

Dave Harper was born in Paris, Texas on December 20, 1951, to Bob Harper and Betty Pittman Harper. Dave graduated from Lake Highlands High School in Dallas, Texas in 1970 and from West Texas State University in 1975 with a bachelor's degree in Secondary Education with teaching fields in biology and physical education. Dave did additional post-secondary work at McMurry University and Abilene Christian University to achieve his composite science teacher's certificate.

Dave married his wife Sandra Stecher on July 6, 1974, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Dallas, Texas. After Dave graduated from college, the couple moved to Sherman where their sons Justin and Jonathan were born. Dave worked for Harper Oil Company/U-Gas-It, the Fina distributorship in Sherman, Texas until the Harper family moved to Abilene, Texas in 1985. Dave began his coaching career as the 8th grade football coach and science teacher at Merkel Middle School. In 1986, Dave began coaching and teaching at Abilene High School. He was an offensive line position coach and assisted with basketball, track, and equipment. He was an Abilene High Eagle until the Harper family moved to Edmond, Oklahoma in 1995, where Dave coached and taught at Edmond Santa Fe High School. He taught biology and was the defensive line coach and later the defensive coordinator for the Edmond Santa Fe Wolves. The Wolves were the District Champions in 1995 and advanced to the State 5A semi-finals. Coach Harper was the throws coach for the Wolves State Championship track team in 1997. In 1998, Dave began teaching and coaching at Corpus Christi Flour Bluff High School. He was the offensive line coach and the offensive coordinator for the Flour Bluff Hornets' playoff runs in 2000 and 2002. Coach Harper was pleased that he was able to coach both of his sons on their respective high school varsity football teams. Dave concluded his coaching and teaching career in 2006-2007 at St. Michael the Archangel High School in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. After his retirement from teaching and coaching, Dave was the managing partner for the Harper family farm/cattle operation and Dasabe LLC in Paris, Texas for over a decade.

Upon returning to Abilene in 2013, Dave became very involved in the Abilene Chamber of Commerce Military Affairs Committee, serving as the Honorary Commander for the 39th Air Lift Squadron at Dyess Air Force Base from 2017-2023. Dave was a staunch supporter of his wife, sons, daughters-in-law, and his six grandchildren. Dave was preceded in death by his parents Bob and Betty Harper of Sherman, Texas, his in-laws Lee and Carmen Stecher of Star Harbor, Texas, and his uncle Bill Pittman of Houston, Texas. He is survived by Sandra Stecher Harper, his wife of 51 years, of Abilene, Texas; his sons, Justin Harper and wife Jenny of Columbus, Georgia and Jonathan Harper and wife Abbie of Commerce, Texas; his grandchildren Alexandra Harper of Mission, Kansas; Reagan, Madison, and Andrew Harper of Columbus, Georgia; and Hudson and Hayes Harper of Commerce, Texas; his sisters Sally Harper Williams and husband Eric of Lewisville, Texas and Beth Harper Hubbert and husband John of Sherman, Texas; his brother-in-law Steve Stecher and wife Danna of Austin, Texas; his uncle Ralph Pittman of Los Angeles, California and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the McMurry University Athletics Fund, the Lake Highlands High School Alumni Association, Holy Family Catholic Church in Abilene, Hendrick Hospice, or the charity of your choice.