HARPER

Dr. Alfred David Harper Jr., DVM, MPVM, MBA of Stephenville, Texas passed away on Monday, Jan. 2, 2023 surrounded by family.

Al was born in San Diego, California on Nov. 25, 1955. He spent his childhood in San Diego participating in baseball, track, and cross country. He started to focus on his studies at a very young age and knew he wanted to become a veterinarian.

Upon graduation from James Madison High School, Al went on to attend the University of California, Davis. In his dedication to furthering his education Al worked a 10 year span from the mid-1970s to mid-1980s to obtain several degrees which included a Bachelor of Animal Science, Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine, and a Master of Preventive Veterinary Medicine.

While working on his college degrees Al began his new role as a father.

After completion of college, he moved his three children and their mother, Karen Harper to Arizona and then on to Texas. There he got his start in the dairy industry as a veterinarian.

In 1989 he opened his own dairy supply and vet practice, “Veterinarian’s Outlet and Integrated Dairy Services” in Dublin, Texas followed by several additional locations in both Texas and New Mexico. In order to keep up with his ever growing business and the immediate care needed by livestock, Al obtained his pilot’s license.

In 2006 Al was awarded the distinguished Merial Preventative Medicine Award for Dairy, from the American Association of Bovine Practitioners.

Al’s ambition to be a lifelong learner led him to obtain yet another Master Degree of Business Administration from the University of Texas, Austin in 2007.

When he managed to find free time in his schedule, he shared his love of the outdoors by adventuring with his children. Al was an avid hunter and fisherman, which took him places around the world from Africa to Costa Rica. One of his other greatest joys was working with his Springer Spaniel hunting dogs.

In 2018 he married his wife, Valerie Harper who loved and cared for him through their brief time together. Most recently Al added the title of “Poppa” when he welcomed each of his granddaughters, who put an extra special twinkle in his eyes.

Al is survived by his wife, Valerie Harper, his three children, Jack Harper, Marie Harper Mosley (Jason), Scott Harper (Lindsay), his granddaughters, Jade Mosley, and Wrenley Harper, his brothers, T.J. Harper, Dave Harper, Tim Harper, and his sister Judy Harper.

Al was preceded in death by his previous wife, Jan Daniel Keith Harper, and his parents Alfred David Harper Sr. and Theresa Rose Harper.

A celebration of life was held Saturday, Jan. 7 at Bella Vita Ranch in Stephenville.

In lieu of flowers the family respectfully requests contributions in honor of Dr. Alfred David Harper Jr., DVM, MPVM, MBA as follows: Contributions made by mail: Please make your check payable to UCD FOUNDATION. The Memo Line should include the following: Fund Allocation #342070, In Memory of Al Harper. Please send payment to this address: UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine Office of Advancement P.O. Box 1167 Davis, CA 95617-1167 Contributions made online: https://give.ucdavis. edu/Go/AlHarper Donor must choose option “In Memory Of” and Type in Al Harper.