Doyle Dean Harper

Doyle D. Harper, 83 of Abilene, passed away at Abilene Regional Medical Center on Tuesday January 22, 2019.  A service is scheduled for Saturday January 26th, 2019 at 2:00 pm in the chapel at Piersall Funeral Directors, 733 Butternut St.  A family graveside will be held at 11:00 am Monday at the Texas State Veteran Cemetery in Abilene.

Doyle was born in Sherwood, Texas to Hie and Bertha Cobb Harper. After graduating from Kermit High School, Doyle attended ACC and Texas Tech where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering in 1958. Upon graduation he received a direct commission as an Ensign in the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey. In 1959 he married his college sweetheart, Texa Peterson Harper in Lubbock, Texas. He was discharged in December of 1960 in Washington D.C. as a Lieutenant Junior Grade.

Doyle was a Registered Professional Engineer. During his career he designed many hospitals, schools, churches, stadiums, professional buildings, and various industrial structures in several states as well as other countries. In 1973 he started his own consulting structural engineering firm in Corpus Christi, moving it to Abilene in 1978. In Abilene, Doyle served the community as Chairman of the Board of Building Standards and helped write local building codes.

Doyle was a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers and received the Professional Service Award from the Texas Section of ASCE in 2004. He was a member of the Kiwanis Club of Greater Abilene for 40 years.

God, family and friends were important parts of Doyle’s active life. In Corpus Christi he served as an elder for the Weber Road Church of Christ. In Abilene he was an active member of Southern Hills Church of Christ for 40 years, serving in various capacities. He led the same Shepherding group for the last 20 years.

Surviving Doyle are his wife Texa Harper, daughters Karen Reed and husband Boyd and Cheryl Tyler and husband, Matt, and son, Mark Harper. He leaves four beloved grandchildren: Katelyn Reed, Austin Reed and wife Catie, and Pya and Kai Sipkowski. His one surviving sibling is his dear sister Carma Lilly. He leaves behind, as well, many nieces and nephews as well other family members and close friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Roy and Joe Harper.

The family suggests that donations be made in honor of Doyle to The Herald of Truth, The Cherokee Home for Children, or the American Heart Association. Condolences may be offered to the family online at www.pbfuneraldirectors.com.