Thomas "Tom" Franklin Harper, 60, rural Vale, SD passed away Saturday, May 26, 2007 at his home near Vale, SD.

Visitation will be from 3-7 P.M., Wednesday, May 30, 2007 at Fidler-Isburg Funeral Chapel in Spearfish.

Graveside Funeral services will be at 10:00 A.M., Thursday, May 31, 2007 at the Vale Cemetery.

Tom was born May 24, 1947 to Thomas and Vernice (Holmes) Harper in Marinette, WI. He moved with his family to Spearfish in 1959. He graduated from Spearfish High School and later attended Black Hills State College. He married Kathy Ommen in 1966 in Lead, South Dakota; the couple lived in Deadwood, Spearfish and Central City. Tom worked at Homestake Mining Company for 23 years. He worked in the logging industry with his step-father Walter Holmes, and was also a carpenter and block layer. Tom married Clarice Alexander in September of 1998. The couple lived in Deadwood, Nisland and later moved east of Vale. Tom enjoyed farming, ranching, working with wood, animals and the outdoors.

Survivors include his wife, Clarice Harper, Vale, SD, one son, Brad (Nora) Harper, Lead, SD, three daughters; Tammy Harper, Lead, SD, Tanya Smith, LaMars, IA and Tara Harper, Mitchell, SD, his mother, Vernice Holmes, Vale, SD and thirteen grandchildren; Kelly, Jessica, Ronnie, Kevin, Wyle, Amity, Alisa, Hayden, Kennedy, Kali, Tyler, Trevor and Tanner.

Tom was preceded in death by his father, Tom Harper, step-father, Walter Holmes, an infant granddaughter and numerous aunts and uncles.

Arrangements have been placed in the care of Fidler-Isburg Funeral Chapel of Spearfish.