Obituary of Thomas Jakie Harp

October 8, 1927 - Cotton Valley, Louisiana

April 11, 2024 - Calgary, Alberta

Thomas Jakie Harp, of Okotoks, AB, passed away on Thursday, April 11, 2024, at the age of 96 years.

Jake was predeceased by his wife, Lillian Ann (Reese) Harp in 2006, and his brother Ikie Harp in 1941, at the age of eleven.

Jake is survived by his three daughters, Donna (Jim), Lisa, and Susan; granddaughters, Jessica (Jamie), and Lauren; and great-grandson Brighton. He is also survived by his younger brother Jimmie (Elizabeth) Harp of Virginia, and his three half-brothers, Tommy Harp, Jack Harp, and James Blythe Sr., all of Louisiana.

Jake was born on October 8, 1927, in Cotton Valley, Louisiana, to Sherman and Jimmie Naomi (Sandefeur) Harp. In 1945, Jake was drafted at eighteen years old into the US Air Force, serving along the North American Pacific Coast. Shortly after the war, he met and married Lillian Ann at the age of sixteen, on July 30, 1948, in Alexandria. They moved to Baton Rouge, where Jake attended Louisiana State University (LSU) and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in petroleum engineering.

After graduating in 1950, they moved to the Hunt Oil Company camp in Good Pine. In 1952, Mr. H.L. Hunt offered Jake a managing position, with Placid Oil for a new operation in Edmonton, AB. They relocated to Estevan, SK,  for a couple of years, then to Calgary, AB. After leaving Placid, Jake had a long entrepreneurial career in the Calgary oil patch, starting Harp Oilfield Services, a partnership in Coyote Oilfield Rentals, and investing in Canadian oil and gas ventures.

Jake and Ann were very social in both the oil patch community and with the Calgary Polo Club, as well as the Palm Desert and Spokane polo clubs. They enjoyed the Friday night socials at Red Deer Lake with their neighbours and friends for over 35 years.

Jake was an avid hunter and fisherman. He was one of the first ranchers in Alberta to raise French Charolais cattle. He was a loyal attendee at the monthly Oilmen’s Old Timer’s Association luncheons. He loved working on his farm, chasing cows, mowing lawns and planting gardens.

The family would like to sincerely thank all the companions who cared for him over the years. We are especially grateful to Ann Ferrier, who compassionately cared for him for over sixteen years.

Jake had requested that no services be held.

Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed with Jake’s family here.

In living memory of Thomas Harp, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Fish Creek, 14441 Bannister Road SE, Calgary, Ab t2x 3j3, Telephone: 403-256-9575.