Lilburn Ray Harper

BREMEN — Lilburn Ray Harper Sr., 75, of Bremen died suddenly Friday, Dec. 25, 2009, at home. He was born in Muhlenberg County to the late Thurman Harper and Ruby (Ellis) Tucker on Oct. 13, 1934. He retired from D&M Coal Mines of Drakesboro after 40 years of service. He was a devoted Christian and member of Bethlehem Baptist Church in Bremen. He was an avid baseball fan but especially loved the St. Louis Cardinals and Boston Red Sox. He enjoyed coaching and mentoring young baseball players after a few years in Minor League baseball’s Kitty League. He coached little league, junior pro and Muhlenberg North High School baseball. He was the first coach in Muhlenberg County to win a 14-15-year-old state championship title. His first true love was his family. Survivors include his wife of 57 years, Katheryn Nelson Harper; two daughters, Darlene (Gary) Lewis and Sheila (Terry) Jarvis, all of Bremen; a son, Lilburn Ray (Shannon) Harper Jr. of Bowling Green; four grandkids, Stephanie (Bryce) Burger of Owensboro, Scott Lewis and Terri Beth Jarvis of Bremen and Kelley Lewis of Bowling Green; four great-grandkids, Brock and Brayden Burger and Savannah Ray and Tyce Jarvis; a brother, Jim (Phyllis) Harper of Bath, Maine; a sister, Linda (Johnny) Hearld of South Carrollton; and five nephews. Services are at 1 p.m. Monday at Tucker Funeral Home in Central City, with the Rev. Leroy Rearden officiating. Visitation is at 4 p.m. today at the funeral home. Burial will be in Bethlehem Cemetery in Bremen.