Gary Dale Harper, 67, passed away on Sunday, May 18, 2025, at Sanctuary Home Hospice in Tupelo, MS surrounded by his family and friends. He was born March 5th, 1958, in Kenosha, Wisconsin, to Emma Lean Harper.  Gary was versatile and worked in many positions.  He worked as a furniture manufacturer, an auto mechanic, and a carpenter/electrician.  He also was a jack-of-all-trades and handy-man and was willing to help people out in need.  He was a very talented musician, as he was a self-taught guitarist and was an exceptional singer.  He often played with his friends on nights and weekends. He loved fishing, as he was often seen fishing at locations among the banks of Beaver Lake and loved to take the boat out into the waterway.  He loved boat riding and had a ski boat and pontoon that would often take his family and loved ones for rides in.

Services will be at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, May 21, at the McNeece-Morris Funeral Chapel in Fulton with Joey Bates officiating. Cory Harper will deliver the eulogy. Burial will be in New Home Cemetery.

Survivors include two sons, Chad McDaniel and Corey Harper (Anna Belle), a grandson, Wesson Harper, and his uncle, Billy Harper (Betty); the mother of his children, Sandra Rusoe; and her sister, Teresa Harmon; and her brothers, Danny McDaniel, Ricky McDaniel, and Junior McDaniel, who were like his family.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Emma Lean Harper, and his grandparents, Gertrude and Arthur Harper.

Pallbearers will be Steve Welch, Randy Welch, Tim McClendon, Dustin Harmon, Tyler Burnett, Braxton Harmon, and Justin Smith.

Honorary pallbearers will be Gary Welch, Junior McDaniel, Danny McDaniel, and Ricky McDaniel.

Visitation will be Tuesday from 5:00-8:00 p.m. and on Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. until service time at McNeece-Morris Funeral Home.