March 5, 1935-Oct. 13, 2022
Donald Ernest Harper passed away at the age of 87 on Oct. 13, 2022, at home in Ivins, Utah, surrounded by loving family. He was born on March 5, 1935, in Cape Town, South Africa, to Ernest Albert Harper and Winnifred Mabel Doris Warren. He was married to Milja Huguenot Harper, nee van der Linden, in Mowbray, Cape Town, on June 23, 1962. They were sealed in the Zollikofen, Swiss Temple on Aug. 14, 1964.
Don was raised in Johannesburg, South Afria, and a great joy to him was to have been a KES boy, as a student for his high school years at King Edward School for boys. He was a good sportsman, excelling in tennis and basketball. Through eventually choosing to stay with basketball he was introduced to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and played on a church team with the young men and missionaries. After receiving the missionary lessons, he was baptized a member of the church on Dec. 26, 1955, by Elder Gary Forbush of Salt Lake City, who remained a lifelong friend.
After several career opportunities, which included sales in men’s clothing, owning his own restaurant, managing putt-putt mini golf courses, being manager of a fast-food drive-in chain, which also included an exclusive dinner/dance restaurant in Cape Town, he was appointed to the position of CES Director for the Church over South Africa and Zimbabwe (then Southern Rhodesia), and Mauritius and La Reunion. After 19 1/2 years he and Milja emigrated to the United States and worked 10 more years in the CES program, living in Temecula, Southern California, until he retired in August 2003.
Don traveled far and wide for his work and loved it. He was also a great sports fan, a love which he shared with his family. Don was always active in the church and served in many callings, which included being a missionary, Branch President, Bishop, Counselor to three Mission Presidents, Temple Sealer for 30-plus years, Regional Representative and Patriarch. Because of his outstanding organizational skills, he was the Chairman over two South African Area Conferences and the dedication services of the Johannesburg Temple.
After retiring, Don and Milja served a couples mission in St George, Utah, in 2004. During that year, they bought a lot and came back the next year to build a home in Copper Canyon, Ivins, in 2005 where they have resided ever since.
Don served on various committees in the city and community, including the St. George Music Theater, the Book Festival, the Celebrity Concert Series and chairman of the Copper Canyon HOA.
He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Milja; children Sean, Neal (Alex), Vivienne Greg Kaseno),Rowan (Crystal), Stuart (Alisa) and James (Heather); a brother in Perth, Australia, Alan Doggett (Beve), a sister Leslie Ann Donaldson, in Johannesburg, South Africa; and 17 grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 1, at 11a.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints chapel, 625 E Center Street, Ivins, Utah. The service will be live-streamed on the McMillan Mortuary website. A viewing will be from 9-10:45 a.m. at the same location. Interment will be in the Ivins Cemetery, under the direction of McMillan Mortuary.
Condolences may be shared on the McMillan Mortuary website.