Dr. L.C. Harpe

Dr. Lafayette Carswell Harpe, Jr., 88, passed away Saturday, January 17, 2009, at the Brooks-Howell Retirement Home in Asheville. He had lived in Lexington, NC, prior to his declining health. A funeral service will be at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday at First United Methodist Church, Lexington, with entombment to follow at Forest Hills Memorial Park Mausoleum. Dr. Harpe was born in Atlanta, GA on March 14, 1920, to Sara Lovelace and Lafayette C. Harpe, Sr. He was preceded in death by his wife of 61 years, the former Elizabeth Sharpe. He served in the Army Air Force during WW II and landed in Europe in a glider during the invasion of France. He was a graduate of the Southern College of Optometry and practiced in Lexington until he retired after 41 years in 1990. Dr. Harpe was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Lexington where he served as chief usher for more than 13 years. He was a member of the Lexington Jaycees and the Civitan Club and was awarded a plaque recognizing 46 years of continuous attendance. Two different years he was named the Civitan “Man of the Year”. He was a Mason and a Shriner of the Oasis Temple. He was also active with the Lexington Chamber of Commerce. He was presented the William Booth Award by the Salvation Army, where he served on the Advisory Board for 23 years. He was co-founder of the Lexington chapter of Crimestoppers and served as president for two years. He is survived by two brothers, Dr. B.L. Harpe of Asheville and Dr. Eugene R. Harpe of Waynesville. Memorials may be made to the Lexington Salvation Army, PO Box 700, Lexington, NC 27293, or to Alzheimer Disease Research, 22512 Gateway Center Drive, Clarksburg, MD 20871