Emmett Ray Harp

Emmett Ray Harp passed from this life on August 9, 2024, at the age of 97 years. Emmett was born July 8, 1927, in Mayes County, Oklahoma to Ezra Carroll Harp and Edna Naoma (Bogle) Harp, the fourth of ten children. He attended Military Grade School, Ketchum High School, and Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College. He married Maxine Helen Pagel on April 2, 1961. 

Emmett entered the U.S. Army in December of 1950 and served in the 2nd Armored Division during the Korean War until his honorable discharge in November 1952. He later attended Oklahoma State University and graduated in 1956 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources (Entomology). He was employed by the U.S.D.A. Agricultural Research Service at the North Central States Bee Research Laboratory in Madison, Wisconsin from 1956 until his retirement in 1984. 

After his retirement, Emmett continued working with honeybees in a commercial honey production operation. He enjoyed the great outdoors especially hunting, fishing, and gardening. 

Emmett is survived by his sister, Naomi J. Yalch of Tulsa; brother, Stephen J. Harp of Langley; and numerous nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends. 

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Maxine; five sisters, Martha Harp, Nancy Ruth Harp, Maggie Virginia Boyer, Carroll Jane Gourd, Mary Elizabeth Haning; and two brothers, Louis Leon Harp, and Ezra Curtis Harp. 

Graveside services will be held 10:00 A.M., Wednesday, August 14, 2024, at Military Cemetery, Vinita, Oklahoma. Online condolences may be made at www.honoringmemories.com or on the funeral home Facebook page. 

Arrangements are in the care of Luginbuel Funeral Home of Vinita. “Family owned. Locally operated.”