David Lamar Harper

David L. Harper passed away surrounded by his loving family on May 13, 2022, when he flew to the angels to meet his wife, Leilani Harper, who passed two years ago. David was born on May 18, 1948, to his beloved mother Mary Choules Smith and Clifford Harper. He leaves behind his brother John and five children, Chris, Jennifer, Robert, Douglas and John and eight grandchildren.

Family was everything to David. He loved all of his children and grandchildren deeply and often shared stories of their accomplishments, always beaming with pride. He invested so much in all of their interests and helped shape their futures. When asked why he had so many kids, he would often joke that they kept going until they got it perfect. He loved his wife deeply and was so proud of her singing in church. In his last few years after losing his bride, he would often listen to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir as their singing reminded him of his beloved Lani.

David was a devout and faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, where he volunteered in several different roles within the local Beaufort ward as well as served a two-year mission in Lima, Peru, Caracas, Venezuela, and Bogota, Colombia.

David loved golfing with friends and coaching little league baseball. His team, the BSA Cubs, had such a huge place in his heart, not only because he was able to coach his children but also because he had the opportunity to coach others. He treated every player he was able to draft like another child of his. He often shared stories of their accomplishments as they grew up and started families of their own. Most continued to follow up with “Coach” throughout his life and refer to him as an incredible mentor and influence in their lives.

David practiced accounting in Beaufort for the past 50 years, enjoying every hectic tax season, where he was able to catch up with all of his clients who became incredibly close friends over the years. He was devastated to have to retire as the cancer progressed, and then a tornado crushed his office, like a final sign that it was time.

David will be sorely missed by his children, grandchildren and so many close and loyal friends, but there is relief that he is no longer suffering with all the pain that cancer wreaked on his mortal body. He is flying with the angels, and we hope to see him again one day.

A graveside service will be held at Kohlerlawn Cemetery in Nampa, Idaho, on May 21, 2022, at 12:00 p.m. A memorial service will be held at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Beaufort, South Carolina, on May 29, 2022, at 2:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests donations to the Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network (bcan.org) or to a local baseball little league team.