David Eugene "Gene" Harper

October 17, 1942 - March 17, 2021

David Eugene “Gene” Harper, age 78, of Elizabethton, Tennessee went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, March 17, 2021. He was surrounded by his loving wife Jan, his devoted daughter Angie, his pride and joy grandson Josh, his church family Jennifer, Craig and Tyerell and his favorite nurses NaAsha and Brittney. Gene was a graduate of Elizabethton High School and was retired from the Elizabethton Electric System and as a bus driver for the Carter County School System. Gene was a member of Big Springs Christian Church and has attended Charity Hill Freewill Baptist Church for the past 20 years. Gene was preceded in death by his parents, John and Viola Harper; and his sisters, Ruby Miller, Mary Miller and Alta Harper. Those left to cherish his memory include his wife Jan Harper; his step children he loved as his own, Angie Taylor (Tim), Marcella Dunn (Bob) and Jackie Proffitt; his grandson, Josh Taylor; granddaughter, Tralaina Mains (Kenny); his great grandchildren, Tristan and Brianna Mains; two special brothers-in-law, Bobby Clark (Judy) and Lawrence Clark; his nieces, Joyce Treadway and Patricia Hensley (Russell); his nephews, Jerry Miller and Johnny Miller; his great nieces, Lou Morrell (Keith), Angela Stout (David) and Erica Tetrick (Jared); his great great niece and nephew, Gracie Stout and Mason Tetrick; his special friends, Dennis “Black” Guinn, who was like his brother, John Bradley, Missy Ward and Wayne Sams, John D. Snyder and wife Ethel, Richard Sutphin, Bill Hampton, Jerry Pearman, John Wagner, and his special little farm buddy, Addison, and many, many more. A service to honor and celebrate the life of David Eugene “Gene” Harper will be conducted at 1:30 PM on Sunday, March 21, 2021 in the Chapel of Peace at Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton with Pastor Tyerell Hughes, officiating. Special music will be provided by Bobby McGee. The family will receive friends from 12:30 PM until 1:30 PM in the funeral home chapel, prior to the service on Sunday. The graveside service will follow at Happy Valley Memorial Park. Masonic services will be accorded by Masonic Lodge #238 Hampton Lodge. Active pallbearers will be Craig Mays, Steve Arnold, Brian Stevens, “Black” Guinn, Chris Mullins, Russell Hensley, Keith Morrell, David Stout and Jared Tetrick. Honorary pallbearers will be Ethan Mays, Henry Davis, Tracey Taylor, retired and current Elizabethton Electric System employees, Carter County School Bus Garage, the Jericho Shriners, Hampton Masonic Lodge, Jay Mink, Darryl Mullins and Larry Mullins, Mike McKinney, Jackie Proffitt, Bo Mink, Bob Dunn, Kenny Mains, Michael Mullins, Ken Arney and all his farm friends. The family would like to thank the nurses and CNAs who loved and cared for Gene from Hillview Rehab. Those who prefer memorials in lieu of flowers, may make donations to Charity Hill Free Will Baptist Church in memory of Gene Harper, 1353 Charity Hill Road, Elizabethton, Tennessee 37643. Our staff is committed to taking care of our guests and families that we serve. Please understand we will be following the State’s COVID guidelines. We also ask all guests and family members attending visitations and funerals to please bring and wear a mask. Online condolences may be shared with the family on our website, www.tetrickfuneralhome.com Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton is honored to serve the Harper family. Office 423-772-3928, service information line, 423-543-4917.