John Baskin Harper
<p><b>John Baskin Harper</b></p><p><b>January 26, 1944 - April 30, 2026</b></p><p><br></p><p>John was born in Fort Worth. Texas on January 26, 1944, to Baskin T. Harper and Marjory (Brown) Harper. During his childhood the family lived in several towns in Texas, Louisiana and Arkansas. When he was 12 the family moved to Daingerfield, Texas where John graduated from high school. </p><p><br></p><p>John then attended the University of Texas, participated in ROTC and graduated with a degree in mechanical engineering. After graduating he worked briefly for the Missouri Pacific Railroad before entering the Army. John was stationed at Fort Eustis, Virginia before serving a yearlong tour of duty in Pleiku, Viet Nam. After returning to the US, he worked for the Missouri Pacific Railroad. </p><p><br></p><p>In 1975 John went to the University of Tennessee and graduated with a master's degree in transportation economics. Following graduation, he moved to Chicago to work for the Rock Island Railroad. When this railroad closed, he formed a personal corporation through which he provided expert evaluations of railroad accidents.</p><p><br></p><p>John was a lifelong Presbyterian and joined Fourth Presbyterian Church after arriving in Chicago. It was at Fourth Presbyterian Church where he met his future wife, Janice McAllister. They were married on July 9, 1983. Their four sons were born to them while they lived in Chicago. In 1993 the family moved to Omaha where John resided until his death.</p><p><br></p><p>John was a leader in his son's cub scout dens and later in Boy Scout Troop 42. He also helped to coach his son's Little League baseball teams. John was ordained a Presbyterian Elder at Fourth Presbyterian Church, Chicago and served on the Trustee Committee at Dundee Presbyterian Church, Omaha.</p><p><br></p><p>John was preceded in death by his parents and brother, James. He is survived by his wife, Janice; and his sons: Daniel, Eric, David and Michael Harper. He is also survived by his brothers: Richard (Deborah) Harper and Sam (Carolyn) Harper; as well as several nieces and nephews.</p><p><br></p><p><b>VISITATION:</b> Friday, May 8, 2026, from 5pm to 7pm at the West Center Chapel.</p><p><b>FUNERAL SERVICE</b>: Saturday, May 9, 2026, at 11am at Dundee Presbyterian Church, 53rd & Underwood.</p><p><b>INTERMENT:</b> Evergreen Memorial Park with Military Honors.</p><p><br></p><p><i>In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Dundee Presbyterian Church or to a charity of your choice.</i></p><p><br></p><p><b><i>To view live broadcasts of the Funeral and Graveside Services, please visit HeafeyHeafey.com and click the "Live Cast" button at the top of the home page.</i></b></p><p><br></p><p><b><br></b></p><p><b>Heafey-Hoffmann-Dworak-Cutler, West Center Chapel, 7805 W. Center Rd., Omaha 68124 | 402-391-3900 | www.heafeyheafey.com.</b></p>Obituary
John Baskin Harper
January 26, 1944 - April 30, 2026
John was born in Fort Worth. Texas on January 26, 1944, to Baskin T. Harper and Marjory (Brown) Harper. During his childhood the family lived in several towns in Texas, Louisiana and Arkansas. When he was 12 the family moved to Daingerfield, Texas where John graduated from high school.
John then attended the University of Texas, participated in ROTC and graduated with a degree in mechanical engineering. After graduating he worked briefly for the Missouri Pacific Railroad before entering the Army. John was stationed at Fort Eustis, Virginia before serving a yearlong tour of duty in Pleiku, Viet Nam. After returning to the US, he worked for the Missouri Pacific Railroad.
In 1975 John went to the University of Tennessee and graduated with a master's degree in transportation economics. Following graduation, he moved to Chicago to work for the Rock Island Railroad. When this railroad closed, he formed a personal corporation through which he provided expert evaluations of railroad accidents.
John was a lifelong Presbyterian and joined Fourth Presbyterian Church after arriving in Chicago. It was at Fourth Presbyterian Church where he met his future wife, Janice McAllister. They were married on July 9, 1983. Their four sons were born to them while they lived in Chicago. In 1993 the family moved to Omaha where John resided until his death.
John was a leader in his son's cub scout dens and later in Boy Scout Troop 42. He also helped to coach his son's Little League baseball teams. John was ordained a Presbyterian Elder at Fourth Presbyterian Church, Chicago and served on the Trustee Committee at Dundee Presbyterian Church, Omaha.
John was preceded in death by his parents and brother, James. He is survived by his wife, Janice; and his sons: Daniel, Eric, David and Michael Harper. He is also survived by his brothers: Richard (Deborah) Harper and Sam (Carolyn) Harper; as well as several nieces and nephews.
VISITATION: Friday, May 8, 2026, from 5pm to 7pm at the West Center Chapel.
FUNERAL SERVICE: Saturday, May 9, 2026, at 11am at Dundee Presbyterian Church, 53rd & Underwood.
INTERMENT: Evergreen Memorial Park with Military Honors.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Dundee Presbyterian Church or to a charity of your choice.
To view live broadcasts of the Funeral and Graveside Services, please visit HeafeyHeafey.com and click the "Live Cast" button at the top of the home page.
Heafey-Hoffmann-Dworak-Cutler, West Center Chapel, 7805 W. Center Rd., Omaha 68124 | 402-391-3900 | www.heafeyheafey.com.
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