The Harper Dynasty

J. D. Harper was one of the kindest men I ever knew.  I first met him in the late 1970’s when I moved onto Brentwood Street.  As a young adult in my twenties right out of college I didn’t have much money after paying rent and bills.  But the folks at the neighborhood shopping center always treated me with friendliness and the utmost and respect.  At the Crestview Minimax the owner, Herb Prellop, always greeted me by my first name.  What little dry cleaning I had I took to Sabrina at Perfecto Cleaners.  I got my hair cut at Crestview Beauty Salon.  And all my drug store needs were met by Mr. and Mrs. Harper at Crestview Pharmacy.

Most of the time I just needed sundries but occasionally I needed to fill a prescription and Mr. Harper always had what I needed.  Their service was so fast there was never a need to wait, but often I would stay a bit and talk with Mr. Harper about how business was, or the weather.  Or Mrs. Harper would fill me in on the latest about the children and grandchildren as they started to come along.  I could look up above the counter and keep with the grandchildren and follow their progress through school. 

Once I was very sick and went to the pharmacy to get a prescription filled.  When Mr. Harper told me how much the medicine was my face fell.  I realized I didn’t have enough money to pay for it and payday was still a week away.  He was very kind and suggested that he set me up with a charge account.  I didn’t even know what that was.   He had to explain that it would allow me to sign for my purchases, they would send me a statement in the mail and I could send them a check.  I was amazed - me, a young lady with no credit worthiness other than my promise to pay and the fact I was a regular customer – I had my very own charge account at a local business!   My loyalty to the Harpers was cemented in that moment and I remain a customer to this day. 

Later when I was married and began to have babies I would bring them to the pharmacy with me.  Mrs. Harper always oohed and aahed over them and I solicited her advice on their current health or development issues.  She gave her opinion about colic, sleep habits, toilet training.  When they got older they began to look forward to the pieces of candy she would hand out to them.  Going to the pharmacy was always a treat for them.  Years later when they were in high school and driving, I could send them to the pharmacy and they could pick up our medicine by simply signing on the account. I’d get a statement to review for exactly what they signed for and that added some accountability along with their new-found freedom.

I knew that J.D. was well-educated, a successful businessman, husband, father, grandfather and knew the pharmacy business well.  At his memorial service, I learned also that he was a fellow-Believer, a veteran, an entrepreneur, a native of Ranger, Texas, and had a wonderful dry sense of humor.  Mrs. Harper was his high school sweetheart and they were married over 55 years. 

Attending Mr. Harper’s service was very important to me.  We must never let our lives get so busy that we don’t make time to honor the lives of those who have made a huge impact on our own.   J. D. Harper was a good, honorable man who made a significant impact in my life and who was a great help to me when I needed it most.  I praise the Lord for J.D.’s life, for the lives of his sons who will carry on the Harper Dynasty, and for the continued opportunity to show my gratitude and loyalty by giving my business to the Harpers at Crestview Pharmacy.