Harvey Mack Raper (Aug. 14, 1928 - Nov. 27, 2021)

Harvey was the Ranger at Skymont Scout Reservation from its inception through the 1991 camping season.  He was a 1991 recipient of the Silver Beaver award.  Harvey also attended the 1977 National Scout Jamboree, the 1977 National Order of the Arrow Conference, and the 1992 National Order of the Arrow Conference.  Prior to his service as camp Ranger, Harvey founded Troop 147 (Ooltewah) in 1953.

Mr. Harvey Mack Raper, age 93 of Altamont, was born on August 14, 1928, in Chattanooga, TN, to the late Mack and Bessie McDowell Raper. He served his country during World War II in the United States Navy. After his honorable discharge from his military service, Mr. Raper was a brick layer from 1949 until 1969. Mr. Raper served as past Master of Blue Lodge Ooltewah 741 in 1965, past Commander of Post 93 American Legion, Scout Master of troop 147 from 1963 – 1969, Ranger of the Skymont Boy Scouts of America from 1969 – 1993, and past master of Felix Grundy Blue Lodge from 1974 – 1975. Mr. Raper became a 33-degree Mason in 1973 and was a member of the Scottish Rite with the First Chattanooga Contingency, also of the Knoxville Scottish Rite stage crew form 1962 – 1969, the co-director of Chattanooga stage crew from 1969 – 1980, and he served on the Soil & Water Conservation Board from 1986 – 2021.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Raper is preceded in death by his loving wife of 62 years, Mrs. Marie Liddle Raper. He is survived by his son, Harvey Mack Raper, Jr. and his wife, Pam; daughters, Catherine Raper Campbell and her husband, Buford, and Lena Marie Raper Vick and her husband, Don; 6 grandchildren; 9 great grandchildren; several extended family members and a host of friends.

Memorial Masonic services will be conducted on Saturday, December 11, 2021, at 11 AM in the Manchester Funeral Home chapel with Dave Worland officiating. Visitation with the family will begin at 10 AM on Saturday before services at the funeral home.

Manchester Funeral Home is honored to serve the Raper family.

Marie Raper Obituary (1929-2011)

Mrs. Marie Liddle Raper age 81 of the Skymont community near Altamont, Tennessee passed away at her home Tuesday evening. She was a native of Pennsylvania and had worked for many years with her husband at the Boy Scouts Camp at Skymont.

She is survived by her husband, Harvey Mack Raper; son, Harvey Mack Raper, Jr., Manchester; daughters, Lena Marie Vick, Simpsonville, S.C. and Cathy Campbell, Skymont; sister, Ada Mae Crosby, Massachusetts; 6 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.

A Celebration of Life service will be 10:30 A.M. (Central Daylight Savings Time) Saturday in the funeral home chapel. The family will receive friends Saturday from 10:00 A.M. until the time of service. Arrangements are by Foster & Lay Funeral Home, Tracy City, Tennessee, 931-592-3691.