Theron Johnson Harper, 91, passed away August 19, 2023 in the care of Ascend Hospice Care and the great people at Bridge Haven Memory Care in Lawrence, KS, after a short illness.
He was born October 15, 1931 in the home on the family farm near Virginia, (Bates County) MO, to Rollin Hill Harper and Ethel Irene (McGuire) Harper. He was married to his high school sweetheart Dixie Deems Harper at the home of her parents on July 17, 1949. They were happily married for 73 years before her passing in January this year.
Theron and Dixie had five children: Stephen Kyle, Kathi Sue Hunsinger, Theron Kevin, Roderick Deems, and Elizabeth Ann Spring. Theron and Dixie along with their children, owned and operated Deems Farm Equipment the John Deere Dealership in Lawrence for more than 30 years. Theron and Dixie both attended the University Community of Christ Church in Lawrence.
In the Fall of 1989, Theron and Dixie decided to become Floridian Snowbirds and spent their winters in Bonita Springs, Florida. They continued to be Snowbirds for more than fifteen years and loved every minute of it.
Theron was preceded in death by his parents, all three of his siblings, his wife, his oldest son Kyle, his youngest daughter Libby, son-in-law Chris ‘Elvi’ Hunsinger, and his great grandson Reese Massey. He is survived by daughter Kathi Hunsinger, son Kevin (Becky, Theresa, Theron Craig), Rod (Barbara, Erica, Rod Jr.), son-in-law Jim Spring, grandchildren Kelly Renick, Travis Renick, and Kyle’s children, Jeanne, Julie, Jennifer, Branden and Whitney, several greatgrandchildren, nieces and nephews.
There will be a visitation for both Theron and Dixie Saturday, September 2, 2023 from 1:00 to 3:00pm at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home 601 Indiana Lawrence, KS 66044 The family suggest memorials in Theron’s name to Ascend Hospice Care, and University Community of Christ Church. Donations may be sent in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, P.O. Box 1260, Lawrence, KS, 66044.
Online condolences may be sent to www.rumsey-yost.com.
