Longtime West Alabama Lawmaker Alan Harper Dead At 68

NORTHPORT, AL — Sources have confirmed to Tuscaloosa Patch that former Alabama State Rep. Alan Harper, a Republican from Northport who served three terms in the Alabama House of Representatives, died early Thursday morning in Alabaster after a prolonged battle with health issues.

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He was 68.

A devoted Northport resident with a keen eye for economic development during his time with the Tuscaloosa County Industrial Development Authority, Harper served in the Alabama House of Representatives from 2006 to 2018, representing a House district at the time that included parts of Tuscaloosa, Pickens and Greene counties.

He won by wide margins in all three campaigns for the Alabama State House.

"Alan Harper was a great friend and teammate," former Alabama Secretary of State and State Representative John Merrill told Patch. "He was a thoughtful, intelligent, articulate, humorous and a dedicated leader. I had the privilege to work with him in the field of economic development at the Tuscaloosa County Industrial Development Authority, and later we were honored to serve together as members of the Alabama legislature. Alan‘s desire and interest was always to put Tuscaloosa County, West Alabama, and the state of Alabama first in all of his decision-making process."

Harper was first elected as a Democrat before switching to the Republican Party in 2012 — a career trajectory similar to that of State Sen. Gerald Allen, a Republican from Tuscaloosa who also changed parties early in his political career.

"Alan was much more than a friend to me," Allen told Patch Thursday morning. "A deep bond of mutual respect for each other. He was a trusted colleague not only to me but to many others."

Harper announced his retirement ahead of the 2018 election, saying his decision to term out was because he believed in a legislature led by “committed citizens, not career politicians.”

He was replaced by Tuscaloosa County business owner and former Northport City Councilman Rodney Sullivan, who spoke to the impact his predecessor had on his own political career.

"Sad to hear the passing of Alan Harper," Sullivan told Patch. "He was very good to me during my time in the State House. He took me under his wing and help guide me through the ins and out of Montgomery politics. He was a true public servant and had a huge impact on many west Alabama communities during his career and will be greatly missed. Prayers for the Harper family."

During his legislative career, Harper chaired the House Economic Development and Tourism Committee, sponsoring measures affecting local alcohol sales and statewide economic policy, in addition to failed legislation that would have allowed Alabamians to vote on creating a state lottery.

Harper was also notably proud of his efforts to preserve Bryce Hospital in Tuscaloosa — work that eventually saw the University of Alabama commit to a full-scale renovation to turn the main hospital building into the university's welcome center.

"Alan was a good friend," said House District 61 State Rep. Ron Bolton, a Republican from Northport who holds the seat once occupied by Harper. "He did much for our communities both in his service in the legislature and as economic development officer for the City of Northport and Aliceville. We will miss him."

Apart from his work in the Alabama State House, Harper was also an involved member of other organizations like the Tenn-Tom Waterway Development Council, the DCH Regional Medical Center Institutional Review Commission, the Alabama Economic Development Association and chambers of commerce throughout House District 61 — to name just a few.

Among his professional roles, Harper served as executive director of the Chamber of Commerce in Aliceville and later worked for the First National Bank of Pickens County as a loan officer and assistant vice president.

He went on to serve as the assistant to the Mayor of Hoover and worked for almost 10 years at the Tuscaloosa County Industrial Development Authority, along with stretches as Aliceville city manager and retail development director for the City of Northport.

"He was less concerned about who got the credit for the success of an activity or project than he was about actually accomplishing the goal," Merrill reflected. "We need more elected officials and public servants to have that attitude. I will miss his leadership, his candor, his humor, and most of all his friendship to me and my family."

A celebration of life for Harper will be held on Dec. 30 at 1 p.m. at Magnolia Chapel Funeral Home on Highway 69 North.

Harper's obituary says he was preceded in death by his parents, Faye Ingram Harper and Samuel Henry Harper.

Harper is survived by his wife Jean Harper, and his sons Sam (Samantha) and Brant (Karen) and three grandchildren; Tatum Harper, Maddux Harper and Brantley Harper.

He is also survived by the mother of his sons, Mary Jean Sutton and numerous nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, Harper's family asks that donations be made to Hospice of West Alabama or the Parkinsons Foundation.

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