Alfred Harper Death, Obituary – The obituaries page of The Flash Today has been updated with new information, including the passing of Dr. Alfred David Harper Jr., DVM, MPVM, MBA of Stephenville, who passed away on Monday, January 2 while he was accompanied by his family. During this trying time, we want his family and friends to know that they are in our thoughts and prayers. On Saturday, January 7, at 2:00 p.m., everyone is welcome to attend a celebration of life that will be held at Bella Vita Ranch, which can be found at 25182 FM 219 Stephenville, Texas 76401. On November 25th, 1955, Al was brought into this world in San Diego, California.
His formative years were spent in San Diego, where he competed in sports such as baseball, track, and cross country. He had a clear idea of what he wanted to do with his life from a very young age, and he set his sights on becoming a veterinarian. Al continued his education after receiving his diploma from James Madison High School by enrolling at the University of California, Davis. Al worked hard over the course of ten years, from the middle of the 1970s to the middle of the 1980s, to earn several degrees as part of his commitment to advancing his education. These degrees included a bachelor’s degree in animal science, a doctorate in veterinary medicine, and a master’s degree in preventive veterinary medicine.
Al began his new position as a father while he was still attending college and earning his degrees. When he had finished his education, he relocated his three children and their mother, Karen Harper, first to Arizona and subsequently to Texas. There is where he got his start working as a veterinarian in the dairy industry. In 1989, he launched his own dairy supply and veterinary office in Dublin under the name “Veterinarian’s Outlet and Integrated Dairy Services.” Since then, he has expanded his business to a number of additional locations in both Texas and New Mexico. Al decided to get his pilot’s license so that he could better manage his rapidly expanding business and provide the prompt medical attention that his cattle need.
In 2006, Al was presented with a prestigious award from the American Association of Bovine Practitioners in the category of Merial Preventative Medicine Award for Dairy. Due to Al’s desire to be a student for the rest of his life, he continued his education and earned another Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Texas at Austin in 2007. When he finally was able to free up some time in his schedule, he made sure to spend it bonding with his children over their common passion for the great outdoors. Because Al was such a passionate hunter and fisherman, his travels brought him all over the world, from Africa to Costa Rica and everywhere in between. Working with his team of Springer Spaniel hunting hounds was another one of his favorite things in the world.
