Sam Carr Harper was born on December 26, 1944, to Vera Bellville Harper and Wilford Edward Harper in Stuttgart, AR and died on December 1, 2022, at the age of 77.

Sam's first years of life began in Stuttgart, AR, then onto NW Arkansas and then to San Francisco where all his lifelong adventures started. He became a fireman with the San Francisco Fire Dept and retired with the rank of captain.  This is where he acquired his lifelong friendships and began all his adventures.

His love of sailing took him along the coast of California, the Pacific Northwest, Mexico, Florida, the South Pacific, the Virgin Islands, the Mediterranean, New Zealand, and Tonga.  His first ocean boat was the Swan 47 that he named Vera which led him to Turkey where he met his future wife, Guniz.

He was a member of the Shade Tree Aviation Flying Club and flew their Bonanza in ventures up to Alaska and over the Bering Strait to Russia and down to the Caribbean for island hopping.   He once helped deliver a twin engine plane over the Atlantic to Africa.  On his first solo flight as a licensed pilot, he deadsticked the landing with no damage!

After his time exploring the world and starting his decline due to Chronic Myeloid Leukemia, he left his home of the San Francisco Bay area and returned to his home in Bella Vista, AR with his wife, Guniz, who has lovingly taken care of him to his end.

He was preceded in death by his mother and father, Vera and Wilford Harper; his sister, Marilu Ives; and nephew, Larry Ives.

He is survived by his wife, Guniz Harper; stepson, Can Fide; sister, Connie S Grizzle; nieces, Sharon Dickson, Amanda Lewis Koenig, and Allison Grizzle; and nephews, Tom Ives and Gary Ives.

Arrangements are under the direction of Bella Vista Funeral Home & Crematory.  On-line condolences may be made at www.funeralmation.com.