Thomas Parks Harper

December 24, 1932-May 31, 2026

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Thomas Parks Harper,93 of Milton, Florida. He passed away peacefully on May 31,2026 surrounded by his loving family.

Born on December 24,1932 in Ocean Beach, California. He was the son of Thomas Arthur and Edna Laurrette Harper. He travelled cross country on commercial airlines, unaccompanied , at the age of 8 which instilled in him a lifelong passion for airplanes. He enlisted in the Air Force, at the age of 21, to become a pilot, and found his calling as an engineer instead. He maintained a sense of wonder and curiosity for the world we live in and how we change it.

He enjoyed discovering the uniqueness of all the places he lived. The plant and marine life of South Florida. The history of the Southwest’s indigenous people and the relics they left. The geology and petroglyphs in southern Nevada, always with a side trip to Las Vegas. Much of his youth and working life was spent in Northern California, where he was involved in the California Academy of Science. He adored the rain and participating in the burgeoning tech industry that created the world we live in today.

He loved the Amenderis Ranch where buffalo and antelope are running wild. He had a true passion for educating others and led Land Rover tours, participated in population counts of prairie dogs and checked the bat caves at sunset. He was very involved in the Crane Festival at the Bosque Del Apache while also running the Eaton House Bed and Breakfast in Socorro,NM. Intrigued by the history of the area, he implemented a study, using model airplanes to document segments of the El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro

He was preceded in death by his youngest son, Paul R Harper and J. Susan Harper, his former spouse. He is survived by his wife Anna Appleby, step daughter Angela M Appleby and his children Linda H. Kamin, Diana M. Harper and Thomas M. Harper. Grandchildren include Jennifer High, Danielle Martini, Rene Bouie, Cori J Cooper, Thomas M Harper II, Eric R Harper and Brandon Harper-Wilson. He leaves behind 17 great grandchildren.