05/31/2026
**In Memory of Don Harper: A Friend, a Fisherman, and a Community Champion**
Our community lost a true original last week with the passing of **Don Harper**—a man whose smile, humor, and generosity left a mark on everyone who crossed his path.
Many people know Don as one of the driving forces behind the very first **Fishing With Kids** event in 2009. What most may not know is that the event might never have existed without him. Don was the one who kept pushing his friend **Mike Kirby** to make it happen. He worked side‑by‑side with Mike to gather sponsors, organize the details, and bring the idea to life. That first event didn’t just introduce kids to fishing—it helped build a tradition that continues to bring families together year after year. That legacy is Don’s as much as anyone’s.
I first met Don back in the 1980s when I started fishing bass tournaments. Even then, he stood out. Don always had a smile on his face—one of those genuine, easy smiles that made you feel like you’d known him forever. He had a great sense of humor, the kind that made long days on the water feel a little shorter and tough tournaments feel a little lighter.
Whether Don came in with a full bag of fish or didn’t get a bite all day, that smile never left him. He loved the sport, he loved the people, and he loved being part of something bigger than himself. That’s why he was known by just about every local fisherman and by most folks in our area. Don didn’t just show up—he showed up for people.
The next time we gather at the lake, cast a line, or watch kids reel in their first fish, we’ll feel the space Don leaves behind. The community will miss him deeply—his laughter, his kindness, and that ever‑present smile.
But we’ll also carry forward the things he built, the friendships he shaped, and the joy he brought to the water. Don Harper made our community better, and his legacy will keep rippling out for years to come.
