Cecil Wayne Harper died unexpectedly in San Angelo, Texas, on Aug. 16, 2017, at the age of 77.
Cecil is survived by the love of his life, Elicia Ann (Crews) Harper, to whom he was married for 57 years. He’s also survived by children, Julie Doggett of Sterling City, Joy Myrick of Sterling City, Jay Harper of Harper, and Jimmy Harper of Austin; and sister, Loretta Wheeler of Abilene.
He was preceded in death by his sister Jenice Stegall and grandson Josh Harper.
Cecil was born on June 28, 1940, to Iva Jewel and Cecil Harper in Callahan County, just outside Moran, Texas. He was baptized in Moran Baptist Church on April 15, 1951. He graduated from Moran High School in 1958, and married Elicia Ann Crews on Nov. 25, 1959. He attended Cisco Junior College for a short while after high school and graduated from Hardin Simmons University with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1968. He received a Master of Divinity from Southwestern Theological Seminary in 1972.
Cecil was called to preach and became a licensed and ordained minister in the early sixties and served as pastor for many Baptist churches throughout Texas. He loved the Lord with all his heart and loved telling people about Jesus. One of his greatest passions was studying the Lord’s word daily and spending time with Jesus. He served as pastor at Fort Griffin Baptist Church, 1963-1965, Avoca Baptist Church, 1965-1968, Walnut Springs Baptist Church, 1968-1971, Gordon Baptist Church, 1971-1975, First Baptist Church Bronte, 1975-1982, First Baptist Church De Leon 1982-1990, and First Baptist Church Breckenridge, 1990-2006. He semi-retired in December 2006, but continued to follow his love of being a pastor at Lakeside Baptist Church 2007-2011, and as interim pastor at Tennyson Baptist Church until 2017.
Cecil and Elicia loved having large family gatherings with their kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids throughout the years. They moved to San Angelo in 2011 to be closer to family and loved vacationing in Estes Park, Colorado, hiking and relaxing in the cool Rockies with family. Cecil was the rock of the family and will be missed by family members including: Julie, Ronnie, Kristin, Shawn, Trace, Tyleigh, Colton, Jessica, Dillyn, Jet, Cassidy, Joy, Bruce, Shaunna, Blake, Addi, Grady, Whitney, Matt, Jay, Robin, Chris, Jayci, Ricky, Annie, Alex, Jayla, Arrow, Jimmy and Brent. Cecil will be missed by many other loved ones, including his hundreds of church members who cared deeply and loved his great sense of humor and his love for each of them. His faith that he spent his entire life preaching and living has now been made sight. Although absent in body, he is present with the Lord.
Visitation will be all day Friday, Aug. 18, 2017, with family present 6-8 p.m. at Shaffer Funeral Home in San Angelo, Texas. Funeral services will be held at 2:30 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017, at First Baptist Church in Breckenridge with Dr. Justin Gandy officiating. Interment will follow in the Dennis Cemetery in Moran under the direction of Morehart Mortuary. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Cecil’s life.
Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church Building Fund and may be left at Morehart Mortuary. Condolences may be made online at www.morehartmortuary.net.
