Thomas Lee Harper, 69, of Ray City, died Thursday, October 8, 2026, at his residence.

He was born November 19, 1956, in Ben Hill County to the late Jacob Monroe Harper and the late Virginia Inell Hurst Harper. He was a retired forestry ranger with the Georgia Forestry Commission. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, working on cars and building homes. He fought many wildfires in California and was a part of the Columbia shuttle accident clean up. He was preceded in death by a brother: Kenny Harper.

He is survived by his daughter: Brandi (Jeremy) Deats of Houston, TX; son: Lee Harper of Ray City; 3 grandchildren: Ben, Sophia and Damien; 2 sisters: Melanie Adams of South Carolina and Susie Gibbs of Fitzgerald; brother: Andy Harper of Brunswick; several nieces and nephews.

His family will honor request for cremation and a celebration of life will be held at a later date.