Harlan Clark McAlpine, formerly of Eldorado, Texas, crossed from this life into the next on August 13, 2020, after a short illness. He was born near Eola, Texas, at the home of his parents, William Gilbert (Gibby) McAlpine and Lola Frances Biggs McAlpine, on June 13, 1931.
Harlan grew up farming in the Reynolds Community west of Eldorado. After high school he served his country in the U.S. Navy as a radarman from 1950-1954.
Professionally he settled into construction inspection for the federal government with the Bureau of Reclamation and International Boundary & Water Commission working on projects including construction of the dam on the Rio Grande to form Amistad Reservoir and water treatment facilities along the Mexican border between South Texas and Nogales, Arizona. After a career of more than 35 years with the civil service, Harlan continued to do contract work from Texas to California, finally retiring at the age of 79.
Harlan loved his family, friends, and peopled in general, long, slow meals, good conversations and corny jokes. He was not fast, but slow and steady produced many building and carpentry projects, tidy yards and productive gardens. He could putter all day and have a lot to show for it at the end.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his siblings, Fay Crider, Wesley McAlpine, Pat McAlpine, and their spouses, the mother of his children, Betty Sue Williams McAlpine, and his wife’s children, Karen Mooney and Eddie Wiley.
He is survived by his sister, Juanita McAlpine of San Angelo, his wife Ruby McAlpine of Corpus Christi, his children, Barney McAlpine of Eldorado, and daughter Susan McAlpine and Sam Kent of Sonora, granddaughters Lillian Kent of Weatherford and Hazel Kent of Austin, Ruby’s children Phillip Wiley of South Texas and Ellen Nafzinger of Corpus Christi, 15 grandchildren, and several great grandchildren.
A memorial service was held at 2:00 pm, Saturday, August 15, 2020, at the First Baptist Church, Eldorado, Texas. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be sent to the First Baptist Church, Eldorado, Texas, Heifer International (855-948-6437, www.Heifer.org) or the charity of your choice.
