W.T. Shumake & Daughters

Al Joe Harper, 73, of Louisville died Saturday, January 12, 2019 at home. Visitation Monday January 21, 2019 from 11-1 at Newburg Church of Christ 4700 E. Indian Trail. Funeral to follow at 1pm. Burial Tuesday, January 22, 2019 at Kentucky Veteran Cemetery.

Al Joe Harper, Jr was born on Thursday, May 31, 1945, as the first-born son of the late Al Joe Harper, Sr. and Daisy Lee Harper Swinney. Al Sr. and Daisy had 12 children, Even as a young man, Al Joe was a go-getter and problem solver. When he wanted a basketball goal he, his siblings, and neighborhood friends could play basketball, Al Joe hand carved his own basketball goal and cemented it to the ground for all to enjoy. He graduated from Seneca High school in 1965. Soon afterward, he was drafted into the military where he served as a Marine for two years. Al Joe spent a year in Vietnam (1967-1968) before returning to Louisville, KY. He worked for the Ford Truck Plant and retired from there after 30 years of service. Al Joe was very skillful and used his mechanical skills to build up drag racing cars from the engine to doing the tedious detailing. He even owned a prize winning 1966 Chevelle, which he lovingly named “Soul Machine”. In addition, he owned a prized Corvette and was a part of a Corvette Club for years. While in retirement, Al Joe continued to use his many talents. He worked a variety of jobs: mechanic, electrician, plumber and property manager all of which afforded him the opportunity of becoming an entrepreneur. Al Joe’s truck said it all with the sign “Al Joe Whatever” written across it. Indeed, he could do it all from building garages, to fixing all types of vehicles, to buying and renting houses, and repairing almost anything. On Saturday, January 12, 2019, Al Joe Harper Jr., departed this life. He was preceded in death by his parents, siblings, Marlon (infant), Lucille, LaRance, and Cheryl Harper Bass., two sons, Al Joe Harper III (“Porky”) and Byron Harper. He leaves to cherish his memory: his devoted wife of 18 years, Karen Bowman Harper; children, Wanda Osborne, Melissa Dickson Saulnerond Johnson (Ricardo), Tony Harper, and Al Joe (AJ) Harper IV; step-daughter, Erica Bowman; siblings, Mary Anderson, Vanessa Claypool, Lee Harper (Deborah), Delbert Harper, Blaine Harper, Anthony Harper, Gregory Harper; 12 grandchildren, 3 great grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friend