Lawrence Purifoy Harper

LAWRENCE PURIFOY HARPER, 84, of Little Rock, passed away Thursday, August 1st. He is survived by his wife Twilla Amo Harper, daughter Claire Kristen Hundley of Kentucky, daughter Star Harper Akel (Richard), of Little Rock and their three children, Courtney, Erica, and Isabella, son Samuel Purifoy Harper (Mary Beth), of Georgetown, Texas and their four children, Adam, Stephanie, Elizabeth, and Alex, son Eugene Eldridge Harper, of Hong Kong, and his daughter Irena Harper, brother Clio Armitage Harper (Carol) and sister Harriet Harper Hawkins (Leo) and host of nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his father, Clio Armitage Harper, mother, Eleanore Purifoy Harper, and son Robert Lawrence Hundley. Lawrence was a native of Little Rock and lived in the same neighborhood all of his life. He grew up roaming the heights with his friends, swimming, fishing and snake hunting in the creek across the street as well as playing tennis. Tennis was a lifelong love for Lawrence, a love he passed on to his kids. Even in his later years, he could be seen playing a mean game of cutthroat tennis with his buddies, Bob Anderson, Bart Roach, Peter Powell, Dorsey Mcrae, JD Simpson, Jay Rogers, and others. His drop shot was truly evil, and many fell victim to it. Lawrence was a social man, known as LOLR, or Lawrence of Little Rock to his friends and family. He always had the latest news of friends and prided himself of being in the know. His social life was mostly found shopping at Kroger with his beloved dog Roxie. No matter who was in the store, he had a kind word, helpful hand, or a joke of the day. He passed no one without speaking and could stay for hours retrieving a simple jug of milk. He was a man of few words, but when he spoke-you listened. Lawrence attended Exeter Academy and then Vanderbilt University. After Vanderbilt, he served in the US Army and reserves for 19+ years, reaching the level of Second Lieutenant. Returning home, he went to work for the family business Democrat Printing & Lithograph and made that his career for over 40 years. He loved the DPL crew like family. He was compassionate about the written word, and wrote a bit himself. Some of his collaborations included works about Orville Faubus and Madam Maxine. His final work, "Duty, Honor, Country, my dad and the heroes next door" honors the war efforts of Arkansas men who fought in WWII. One of Lawrence's bravest acts was taking on three young children when he met the love of his life Twilla, who he was married to for 48 years. Lawrence took Star, Sam and Gene as his own. He carefully guided, loved and helped make them the people they are today. While Kristen and Robbie were not part of his day to day life, he loved them equally and fiercely. He is now reunited with Robbie. Lawrence had a passion for history and travel. He was one of the first Americans allowed to travel behind the iron curtain during the cold war. While he was in the USSR, he strayed from the group and traveled the county until he was discovered by the KGB. They took him to the border and was told not to return. Lawrence was a dedicated family man who loved his wife and children, he will be forever missed. The family wishes to thank Arkansas Hospice for their care. Funeral will be held at Christ Church, 509 Scott St., Little Rock on Wednesday August 7th at 2:00pm. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Care of Arkansas, P.O. Box 7604, Little Rock, Ark. 72217-7604 or to the Arkansas Tennis Patrons Foundation, 1 Shackleford Dr., Suite 100, Little Rock, Ark. 72211. Arrangements by Little Rock Funeral Home, 8801 Knoedl Ct., (501) 224-2200. Lawrence's online guestbook may be signed at www.littlerockfuneralhome.com.