Kenneth Dewey Harp, 52, Peru, Indiana, passed into eternity at 10:00 AM on Saturday, May 14, 2016, at his home in rural Peru, following a battle with COPD. His sister Rochelle and foster daughter Teresa were by his side, along with his faithful canine companion, Tyson.
Kenny was born number twelve of fourteen children on March 11, 1964 in Wabash County to Robert Dewey and Ruby Ann (Hall/Poe) Harp. He attended North Miami high school, graduating in 1982. On August 17, 1985, he married his best friend Trudi Lesley. Although the marriage dissolved five years later, they remained best of friends to this day.
With no children of his own and a heart of gold, he delighted in the role of Uncle Kenny to each of his over thirty nieces and nephews. Kenny became foster father to his niece, Teresa Ogle, whom he adored and raised as his own. She is now married to David Smith, and Kenny is Pawpaw to their two girls Alyssa, 6, and Jaylin, almost 2. The delight of his life has been spoiling them, spending hours together wrestling, playing games, sharing music, being a real Pawpaw! He shared his love of 70’s and 80’s rock music with them; he and Alissa’s favorite song is Bob Seger’s, “Turn the Page”.
“Harpy” has always dreamed of two jobs, farming and truck driving. As a youth he enjoyed helping his dad work the family farm north of Denver. Later he landed the job of truck driver working for Merrill brothers of Galveston. He was there for several years until injuries from an accident left him unable to work.
A gifted athlete in High School, Kenny had hopes of becoming a professional baseball pitcher, until injuries sidelined his career. Kenny also enjoyed, drawing, golfing, and deer hunting. The closeness of his family was very important to him. He played the part of Santa Claus for all those nieces and nephews at the large family Christmas gatherings. He would sit on his brother Matt’s shoulders for photo ops. And laughter, Kenny was indeed a happy man, a true kid at heart, he was content in this life with his loved ones close by.
Surviving along with Teresa and David and his granddaughters, are seven brothers: Bill (& Karen) Poe, Denver, Tom (& Carol) Harp, Macy, Jack (& Diane) Poe, Peru, Pete (& Donna) Poe, Peru, Jim (& Tracy) Harp, FL, John (& Rhonda) Harp, Miami, Matt (& Kim) Harp, Denver; four sisters: Christine Strong, Peru, DeeAnn Biddle, Roann, Joyce (& Ron) McKinney, FL, Rochelle (& Ricky) Martin, Perrysburg; and one sister-in-law Joyce Rasmussen, Peru. Preceding him in death were his parents, two brothers, Jerry Poe, Peru and David Harp, MN, and three nephews.
Vistiation will be from 4-7:00 p.m. on Friday, May 20, 2016, at McClain Funeral Home, Denver, Indiana. A service will begin at 7:00 p.m. with Pastor Tom Harp officiating. The online guestbook can be signed at www.mcclainfh.com.