Tony Ray Harp, 71, passed away on July 9, 2018 at his home in McCracken, Kansas. He was born in Closplint, Kentucky on January 12, 1947. He was the son of Claude Harp and Bernice (Bennett) Rollins.

Tony attended McCracken Elementary every year except 2nd and 7th grades. He loved playing Basketball, Football and Baseball. He received academic awards in Geometry and Algebra II. He was the senior class Vice President and graduated from McCracken High School in 1965.

Tony enlisted with the USMC – United States Marine Corps from May 21, 1965 – May 15, 1969.  He attended basic training at the San Diego MC Recruiting Depot. While in the Marines, he was a Sergeant as a Radar Fire Control Technician. He was stationed at Huntsville, Alabama and DaNang, Vietnam, later Albany, Georgia and back to DaNang, Vietnam for a second tour.  While on leave he was able to visit Bangkok, Thailand twice and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. His awards with the Marines were: Combat Action Ribbon, Presidential Unit Citation, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry and Civil Action with Palm Unit Citation, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Bronze Service Star, 1st Marine Air Wing, Expert Rifle Badge.

After returning home from Vietnam, Tony married Shirley Kinderknecht, Grinnell, Kansas, June 6, 1970 and welcomed four children, Lynnette, Bill, Brian, and Michael. He was a farmer and rancher in rural McCracken and raised many animals. He loved planting a large garden in the summer, playing poker, pool, and snooker. He graduated from Fort Hays State University in 1989 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mathematics. Tony married Paulette Nicholson, Ellis, Kansas July 30, 1991. He was like a father to Daniel Zeller and Will Zeller. He began his teaching career in Ellis, Kansas, Globe Arizona, Haxtun, Colorado, Pinedale Wyoming, and many years at LaCrosse High School. He was also the Girls Basketball coach for several schools. It was a must for Mr. Harp’s class to show your work on every math problem assignment.

He was loved by many friends, family, and students including: Shirley Harp, Hays, Kansas, Paulette Harp Ellis, Kansas, a daughter Lynnette and Don Doornbos, McCracken, Kansas children Katelyn, Taylor, & John, son Bill and Kelly Harp, Great Falls, Montana, grandson Adam and Maggie Brecht, great-grandsons Jackson & Cooper, son Brian Harp and Lisa Day, LaCrosse, Kansas children Keldon, McKaylee, & Kelby, son Michael and Jennifer Harp, Cedar Rapids, Iowa children Dylan and Madelyn, son Daniel Zeller, McCracken, Kansas children Jacob and Abby, son Will and Jana Zeller LaCrosse, Kansas grandson Bodie, sister Wanda Fe Bankhead, Morriston, Florida, brother Donnie and Jeannie Harp, Council Grove, Kansas, sister Pam Bankhead, Ocala, Florida, brother Ricky ‘Mac’ Harp, Ness City, Kansas, sister Mary Hattan, Ness City, Kansas.

He was preceded in death by his father Claude Harp, mother Bernice Rollins, brother Ronnie Harp, brother Billy Harp, and niece Rosemarie “Marie” Buller.

Graveside memorial service will be Friday, July 13, 2018, at 11:00 A.M. at the McCracken City Cemetery, McCracken, Kansas.

In lieu of flowers or plants, the family requests memorials to Sons of the American Legion West-Burch, KS Post 59, McCracken, Kansas, or American Legion West-Burch, KS Post 59, McCracken, Kansas.

Condolences or remembrances may be left for the family at www.charterfunerals.com/locations/janousek-lacrosse.php.

Arrangements were by Janousek Funeral Home, 719 Pine Street, P O Box 550, La Crosse, Kansas 67548, 785/222-2517.