Obituary

Leroy Harp passed away on November 11, 2010 in Tulsa, Oklahoma at the age of 70. He was born in Carroll County, Arkansas in 1940 to his father, Robert Hardy Harp and his mother, Fannie (Estes) Harp. When Leroy was four years old, he met three-year old Ruth Maze. They were friends as children, but eventually moved away from each other. When 22-year old Leroy was in the army stationed in Germany, his mother had written him and told him she saw Ruth. He wrote back to say he wanted to marry her. His mother mentioned this to Ruth and Ruth’s reply was that she and Leroy needed to get reacquainted before they could get married. It took only two months after Leroy came home for Ruth to say yes. They were married on June 2, 1963 and their marriage lasted over 47 years. Leroy was an excellent mechanic and built many cars in his lifetime. He also loved driving and spent many years making his living by driving a truck. He is survived by many beloved family members – his wife, Esther “Ruth” Harp and their three children: Sharri Gunkel and husband Rusty, Teresa Hubbard and husband Robert, and Patricia Pearce; his two sisters, Bonnie Hudson and Mary Ann Ellis; his six grandchildren: Richard Gunkel, Jr., Christopher Gunkel, Jacob Gunkel, Zachary Pendergrass, Reba Pendergrass, Nora Pearce; one great-grandchild, Schuyler Gamble; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. His parents preceded him in death as did his brother, Tom Harp, a granddaughter, Stephanie Pearce, and a brother-in-law, Elwood Ellis.