Deacon Linard Ray Harper

Rev. Mr. Linard Ray Harper, OFS, age 87, of Hallettsville, Texas, was mercifully called home by the Heavenly Father on October 21, 2026, enveloped in the prayers and love of his family. He has now been reunited in eternity with his beloved wife, Dorothy of 62 years, who preceded him in death in 2021.

Deacon Linard was born on July 17, 1939 to Luther & Lena Mae Harper, their only child. As a part of a railroad family, his parents moved to Yoakum where he attended and graduated from St. Joseph Catholic School. Instead of being taught religion in school, he was taught piano by the Sisters of Divine Providence. As Divine Providence would have it, he met the love of his life when Dorothy Wagner graduated from Sweet Home School and came to St. Joseph’s. When Linard was 18, he decided to be baptized in the Catholic Faith. He attended Baldwin Business College and then married his high school sweetheart, thus his faith journey continued and his family began to grow moving to Corpus Christi.

A man of strong presence and relentless work ethic, Linard worked tirelessly to ensure his growing family’s needs were always met. He worked as a dedicated salesman and businessman for many years in Corpus Christi. To provide for his growing family, his workday rarely ended when the clock struck five; he routinely supplemented the family income by driving grain trucks during his off hours or even working as a night manager. Later, he owned his own business. He gave his children a living example of sacrificial love, hard work and what it truly means to provide for those you love. During the years in Corpus Christi, his faith really blossomed as did his service to the church.

Linard lived a life deeply defined by his devotion to family and his faith. Seeds of service were planted when his children began Catholic school and he began to help around the parish. If there was something that needed to be done, Linard would get it done. During this time, he was invited to attend a Cursillo weekend and his soul was set afire. He began helping on retreats and meeting weekly with others growing in their faith. After meeting the Poor Clares in Corpus Christi, his spiritual foundation became anchored in the charism of St. Francis of Assisi. He became a Secular Franciscan, making his profession in 1971. As a follower of St. Francis, the Good News of the Gospel was always close to his heart, desiring always to bring the Gospel to Life and Life to the Gospel.

This profound interior call led him to public ministry. He was ordained to the Permanent Diaconate on May 22, 1977, as a member of the very first class of deacons in the Diocese of Corpus Christi. In August 1980, he moved his family back to his hometown of Yoakum where his ministry began to flourish. He became a full-time deacon at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Yoakum. In this role, Deacon Harper often served with Fr. Kram in his hospital ministry. He led Youth Groups, taught religion classes, taught baptism classes, led liturgical services at St. Anne’s, visited the homebound, prayed rosaries, assisted in marriage prep and even started a Franciscan Fraternity in the Victoria diocese. Through it all he continued to show his unconditional love and support to his children, whether it be in their Catholic education, extracurricular activities or faith journeys.

In 1982, the diocese of Victoria was established and soon he was called upon to help launch the Victoria diaconate program, shaping the formation of future deacons for generations to come. Over his decades of selfless service, Deacon Harper preached the Gospel, baptized countless faithful, prayed many rosaries, comforted the sorrowing, taught the domestic church and served as a pillar of strength for his community and family. Always remaining a loving dedicated father to his seven children, passing down a rich legacy of faith, resilience, and love.

Linard is survived by: his seven children; Cheryl (Oscar) Flores, Anthony (Joyce) Harper, L. Scott (Shelly) Harper, Michelle Harper, Tommy (Angela) Harper, Renae Harper and Chris (Jennifer) Harper; grandchildren, Cole (Brooke) Harper, Cullen (Hannah) Harper, Matisen (Julian) Harper, Cavan Harper, Regan Hall, Mason (Jaci) Hall, Megan (Adam) Bruton, Stephen (Jessica) Flores, Emily (Jarrett) Janak, Luke (Jami) Harper, Dorothea (Brett) Garner, Josef Flores, Ella (Josh) Steffek, Trinity (Clayton) Nunnelly, William Harper, Briahna Mayfield, Clare Harper, Rachel Harper, Nathan Harper and Samuel Harper; great-grandchildren, Grayson Hall, Ellis Harper, Kase Harper, Briley Hall, Elias Garner, Clara Harper, Bennett Harper, Bethany Harper, Dorothy Garner, Catherine Harper, Ada Bruton, Brantley Hall, Madilyn Harper, Quinn Harper, Cecilia Harper, John Harper and William Garner; sisters-in-law, Jeanette (Ernest) Tovar and Gayle (David) Pechacek; his nieces, Petula (Rusty) Workman--children Tanner, Grace and Brooke (James) Newman--children Hud and Stella; his Franciscan family and his brother clergy.

Schedule of Rites:

● Franciscan Wake: 4 pm, Sunday, October 25, 2026, Queen of Peace Church, Sweet Home, TX

● Visitation: 4:30 pm - 6 pm, Sunday, October 25, 2026, Queen of Peace Church, Sweet Home, TX

● Rosary and Wake: 6 pm, Sunday, October 25, 2026, Queen of Peace Church, Sweet Home, TX

● Mass of Christian Burial: 10 am, Monday, October 26, 2026, Queen of Peace, Sweet Home, TX

● Rite of Committal: Immediately following mass at Queen of Peace Catholic Cemetery

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to RED-C radio, which is a local radio ministry that supports Religious Education for the Domestic Church. https://redcministries.org/deacon-linard-harper-memorial

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.