Royce N. Harper Obituary (1923

Royce Neil Harper, Sr. 93, passed away September 12, 2016, after a short illness surrounded by his family at Tabitha Journey House, Lincoln.Royce was the second son born to Alma and Charles Harper on April 20, in Davenport, Neb. In 1929, the family moved to eastern Colorado, where his father farmed as the Dust Bowl settled over the prairie. He graduated from Willard High School and attended Greeley Teachers College until World War II broke out.Royce enlisted in the Army, which placed him in engineering school at Bradley University in Peroria, Ill. and then sent him to La Jolla, Calif., where he trained as part of the 96th Infantry division, known as "The Deadeyes," which later made two amphibious landings at Okinawa and Leyte in the Pacific Theater.Royce returned to Nebraska, and with the help of the GI Bill, he graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Law School, where he was awarded a juris doctorate in 1949. In 1948, he married Charlotte Jean Layton of Alliance; they spend sixteen years of their marriage in Grand Island, where Royce worked to State Farm and where six of their eight children were born.In 1968, the Harpers moved to Lincoln where Royce served as an assistant attorney general. After his retirement from the State at age 82, he kep0t his law license and up to the age of 90, he handled cases and offered pro bono aid for Nebraskans in need of legal assistance.Royce was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Verle; sister, Ivy; son, Neil Harper, Jr; and son-in-law, Tomas Ahlberg, of Klippan, Sweden. He is survived by his beloved wife, Charlotte Jean and his children: Colleen Aagesen; Ivy Harper-Gonzalez (Carlos); Marla Krug (Kevin); Mark (Cassandra); John; Valerie; Steven (Nadia); grandchildren: Kathryn, Carl and Eric Aagesen; Carlos and Alina- Marie Harper-Gonzalez; Cameron, Matthew and William Krug; Royce Banyon, Ashton and Sienna-Marie Harper; Harper (Christopher) Harperson (Anagula, Iceland); Sara (Jack) Pycior; and Alexandra Harper; niece, Susan Wiens Of Irvine, Calif.; and nephew Jack (Betsy) Wiens of Atlanta. Royce is also survived by nieces and nephews from Nebraska, including the French family of Hastings and Lincoln, and the Pittman family of Arkansas. He leaves behind close friends like Lucy and George Pycior of Columbus; Mark Starr, Mike Rumbaugh, John McCabe and his "crew" at the Van Dorn McDonald's, with whom he met weekly for coffee and conversation. Royce was loved by all.A special thank you to the entire staff of Tabitha for providing amazing grace and care during Royce's journey home. RosaryThursday, September 15, 2016 7:00 PM 9/15/2016 7:00:00 PM Colonial Chapel Funeral Home 5200 R ST Lincoln, NE 68504 Colonial Chapel Funeral Home 5200 R ST Lincoln 68504 NE United States Mass of Christian BurialFriday, September 16, 2016 10:00 AM 9/16/2016 10:00:00 AM Cathedral of the Risen Christ 3500 Sheridan Blvd. Lincon, Ne 68506 Burial will at Cemetery in Davenport Cathedral of the Risen Christ 3500 Sheridan Blvd. Lincon 68506 Ne United States