Arthar Clyde Harper

BOSSIER CITY, LA - Arthar "Clyde" Harper, 84, of Bossier City, LA passed away Thursday, May 26, 2016. Clyde was born on February 12, 1932 and grew up in Vivian, LA. After graduating high school, he joined the United States Marine Corp, at age 18, and served in combat as a member of the 1^st Marine Recon Division in Korea. After returning home he married Betty Joan Guess in 1952. It was at this time Clyde began a life long journey in the Oil industry. He truly learned his craft from the ground up. From Roughneck to Service Hand to Drilling Superintendent, he gathered a wealth of knowledge to become a well-respected Independent Drilling and Completion Consultant. He served Arkla Gas and Reynolds Drilling Company in this capacity just to name a few. Clyde was definitely "Old School", as were so many of his friends, and they formed an unbelievable bond of friendship through the years. If you were lucky, sometimes you got to sit in on some of their stories. As young men, what lessons we learn from an older generation. Clyde was a mentor to a few, a friend to many, and a proud Marine to the end. Clyde was preceded in death by his parents, William and Essie Harper; sister, Yvonne Rivers and brother, Harold Harper. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Betty Guess Harper; daughter, Vickie Harper Medick of Bossier City; son, Larry Clyde Harper and wife, Cindy Mashon Harper of Bossier City; grandsons, Derek Clyde Harper and wife, Shelley Brian Harper of Bossier City, David Brian Harper of Bossier City and Samuel Tyler Medick of Bellevue, Washington and great-grandchildren, Jack Rowan Harper and Lela Catherine Harper of Bossier City. My Dad instilled two philosophies in me that I would like to share, that I believe truly display his character. First was to paint everyone in my journey through life Purple. By doing so I could only judge people by their character. Second was to always give an honest day's work for an honest day's pay. Give nothing less and ask for nothing more. Seems so simple doesn't it. Looking back at my Dad's journey through life, I often wonder if he would have changed his path to have made things just a little easier for himself. I would have to say, No, I don't think so. He loved working, he loved the Challenge, he grew as a man through hardships, he loved the lifelong friendships created through his work, he was driven not to be looked upon by anyone as being mediocre at his trade, he loved life and in the end he felt a tremendous sense of accomplishment. If he had changed direction or compromised his work ethics in any way or lost any sense of loyalty to those that gave him a chance to better himself, he would not have been the man admired and respected by so many. He used to say, "Hey, I'm a fiction writer and I can make this story end anyway I please". In my eyes he penned a Best Seller that I followed my entire life. Thanks for including all of us in your journey. A graveside service for Clyde Harper will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 31, 2016 at Mooringsport Memorial Garden Cemetery, Mooringsport, LA, with Marine Honors. Officiating will be Dr. Carl Rhodes. Visitation will be Monday, May 30, 2016 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Rose-Neath Funeral Home in Bossier City.