Michael Brooks Harper

Michael Brooks Harper, November 4, 1959-May 11, 2026, son of Clarence Brooks Harper and Beverly Ann (Lankford) Harper. Michael is survived by his wife Catherine J. (Finkel) Harper, children, grandchildren, siblings, in-laws, cousins and numerous friends who counted him as family!

When we think of someone's legacy we may think of worldly possessions, inheritance, but the most important legacy left by Michael is love, the legacy of love.

How do I know this? I had the privilege/honor of being his wife for almost 45 years (June 27, 1981) as my husband, friend, lover, confidant and worthy opponent, at times. Michael was a great dad and the greatest Gramps to his seven grandkids, and we will rely on our beautiful memories to carry us through the darkest times.

Michael graduated from Marietta HS in 1979, and attended Ohio University, graduating from Marietta College in 1998 with a Bachelor in Business. He worked hard throughout our married life building swimming pools as a subcontractor, then started his own business Harper's Builders before finally going to work for the US Postal System for 33 years. He worked hard, remodeling our home one room at a time, a one-man contractor remodeling our properties, and he truly looked out for our tenants telling me many times that he just couldn't "raise the rent."

Michael loved our children so much, even through their struggles, and he was so very proud of their accomplishments, putting them through college and cheering them on. It wasn't always easy; our oldest son lived with addiction; succumbing to his disease in 2021 and we had a stillborn son and a miscarriage between our two youngest sons. Through all of this, he was my rock.

Michael took loving care of his parents in their final years, and it was truly a gift to him. We both coached baseball, soccer and basketball together for many years and I will never forget how much fun we had at the Bantam League and the numerous kids who always called him "Coach" when we saw them out. He was most recently coaching our grandson, Elijah, and relished being a coach again! He was a very quiet and humble "Hero".

Michael's legacy of love includes our children, their spouses, grandkids and he loved them all more than anything. Numerous family vacations, dinners and phone calls made him a very proud and happy man. Our youngest son was his concert buddy, and they had an extensive genre of artists they saw this past year and future ones he can only attend in spirit. Music was a mainstream in our household, and we all were concert goers with Gramps!

Michael was dad to Jason (deceased), Kaelly (Joel) Erb, Matthew (Rylee) Harper, Samuel (deceased), Stephen (Anna Claire Myers) and beautiful grandkids, Aamon Harper who lives with us, Griffin (our oldest), Elijah and Ruby Erb, Kolbie and Morrisyn Harper, and the newest addition, Eliza Jane Harper. Michael will be their beloved Gramps forever.

In addition, Michael is survived by his sister, Vickie (Mark) Bober and brother Chris Harper (Madison and Mason) of Powell Ohio, numerous cousins (Harper's and Bowersock's,) friends whom he counted as family, mother-in-law Joanne Finkel and brothers in law, Tim Finkel (Nick, Kaylynn, Ben and niece Ronnie), Kelly Finkel and Kevin Finkel. His dog Pepper and cat Smokes are missing him, too.

What a Legacy!!

Funeral services will be Friday, May 15, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. at CAWLEY & PEOPLES FUNERAL HOME OF MARIETTA, 408 Front St., Marietta, OH 45750, with the Very Rev. Edward Maxfield, Jr. as officiant. Visitation will be for two hours prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Right Path of Washington County, c/o the Marietta Community Foundation, 100 Putnam St., Marietta, OH 45750.

CAWLEY & PEOPLES FUNERAL HOME OF MARIETTA is honored to serve the Harper family and offers online condolences as well as many other resources by visiting www.CawleyandPeoples.com or by following their Facebook page.