Thomas Joseph Harper

Thomas Joseph Harper, Sr eldest son of the late Judge, Sr and Bessie Harper, was born on October 7,1928 in Enterprise , Alabama. Sadly he departed this life on March 19, 2020.

As a child Thomas would rise in the  early morning hour before preparing for school. Affectionately known as ”Tom” would work very hard on his father’s farm, after which he would walk more than a mile to school. At the aged of 18 he moved to New Jersey. He attended trade school where he studied welding , demolition/construction and heavy machine Operation trades.  It was during this time he met and married Arlette Geter-Harper. From that union four children were born. Sheila, Joey, Peggy and Joan.

Tom worked for various demolition companies for years , where he mastered his craft as a crane operator.  He was given many accolades and was even featured in the Star Ledger for his achievements.  In a few years Tommy owned his own demolition company in Newark, NJ “Thomas J. Harper Sr.  Inc Demolition” Tommy enjoyed family, friends, and hanging out at “Dunkin Donuts” in East Orange, NJ Tom had an insatiable love for baseball and attended the horse rack track.  During his early years hear in Jersey, he owned the very popular” East Orange Rookie Cardinals Baseball Team”.

Tommy had many friends and was well-liked both inside and outside his work community. He was the person people would come to for help. Although Tommy often boasted proudly about his abilities and accomplishments, everyone knew that he was truly “the king of his craft”

Thomas Joseph Harper, Sr eldest son of the late Judge, Sr and Bessie Harper, was born on October 7,1928 in Enterprise , Alabama. Sadly

He departed this life on March 19, 2020.

As a child Thomas would rise in the  early morning hour before preparing for school. Affectionately known as ”Tom” would work very hard on his father’s farm, after which he would walk more than a mile to school.

At the aged of 18 he moved to New Jersey. He attended trade school where he studied welding , demolition/construction and heavy machine

Operation trades.  It was during this time he met and married Arlette Geter-Harper. From that union four children were born. Sheila, Joey, Peggy and Joan.

Tom worked for various demolition companies for years , where he mastered his craft as a crane operator.  He was given many accolades and was even featured in the Star Ledger for his achievements.  In a few years Tommy owned his own demolition company in Newark, NJ

“Thomas J. Harper Sr.  Inc Demolition”

Tommy enjoyed family, friends, and hanging out at “Dunkin Donuts” in East Orange, NJ Tom had an insatiable love for baseball and attended the horse rack track.  During his early years hear in Jersey, he owned the very popular” East Orange Rookie Cardinals Baseball Team”.

Tommy had many friends and was well-liked both inside and outside his work community. He was the person people would come to for help. Although Tommy often boasted proudly about his abilities and accomplishments, everyone knew that he was truly “the king of his craft”

Thomas Joseph Harper, Sr eldest son of the late Judge, Sr and Bessie Harper, was born on October 7,1928 in Enterprise , Alabama. Sadly

He departed this life on March 19, 2020.

As a child Thomas would rise in the  early morning hour before preparing for school. Affectionately known as ”Tom” would work very hard on his father’s farm, after which he would walk more than a mile to school.

At the aged of 18 he moved to New Jersey. He attended trade school where he studied welding , demolition/construction and heavy machine

Operation trades.  It was during this time he met and married Arlette Geter-Harper. From that union four children were born. Sheila, Joey, Peggy and Joan.

Tom worked for various demolition companies for years , where he mastered his craft as a crane operator.  He was given many accolades and was even featured in the Star Ledger for his achievements.  In a few years Tommy owned his own demolition company in Newark, NJ

“Thomas J. Harper Sr.  Inc Demolition”

Tommy enjoyed family, friends, and hanging out at “Dunkin Donuts” in East Orange, NJ Tom had an insatiable love for baseball and attended the horse rack track.  During his early years hear in Jersey, he owned the very popular” East Orange Rookie Cardinals Baseball Team”.

Tommy had many friends and was well-liked both inside and outside his work community. He was the person people would come to for help. Although Tommy often boasted proudly about his abilities and accomplishments, everyone knew that he was truly “the king of his craft”

He will be deeply missed.  As a loving and integral pillar of his community and family, an eternal flame will never extinguish from our hearts and minds to commemorate the lives he touched,

in a good way.

Tom is survived by four children, Sheila Deveraux (Tyrone), Joey Haper, Peggy Marshall and Marilyn (Joan) Harper. Four grand children Crystal Smith (Tyrone), Jakel Borihomme )Gerald), Jaison Devereaux (Cathryn) and JoAnn Harper. For Great-Grand children Toran, Cameron, Camille, Kyleigh and Carter. Two Brothers Judge Jr (Mary)and Lewis (Barbara). Two Sisters Mary Pearl and Clara Hodges.  Tom also leaves a host of sister-in-laws, nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.

A precious one from us has gone A voice we loved is stilled A place is vacant in our home Which can never be filled And after a lonely heartache’

And many silent tear  But always a beautiful memory’ Oh’ one we love so dear