If you were not able to attend the funeral of Beth Harper of Nephi, Utah today, we got you covered, with the program right here and now. I came to know Beth at Juab High and soon became fond of her. I liked her, and although three years younger than me, I became friends with that girl, so in a round about way, she was by "girl friend". She was fun to be around and sharp as a tack. It was the 1960's in a close knit and Rural Nephi. In those days, it was customary for young kids to walk up and down main street, then if we were able to borrow a car from our folks we would stop and talk to the gals. Beth would often stay with her grandparents, who lived on the northeast corner of Main Third South. On one occasion, I borrowed my mothers hot car, which was a miniature station wagon. Gas cost 19 cents a gallon and as long as I left some gas in her car so she could go to work for the School District Boss, who was Clyde Child, I was okay. I walked up to her grandfathers home, and knocked on the door. I asked if Beth was home, and he wanted to know who I was, and what my motive was for taking her for a ride. He then called for Beth and I could hear him shout "Beth, its one of those dang Jones Boys" Gee Whiz, it had to be one of my older brothers. But I liked her humor, and honest to the core blunt chat. When I got busy with a LDS Mission and several years of college work, I didn't see Beth until the Deer Hunt in Nephi, and I would normally spend the whole week at home, especially after my father died. I then saw her working as hard as what her sons talked about at the funeral. We would shoot the breeze and catch up with any news that really wasn't news. She married Ron Harper, who was a friend and a classmate from the Juab Class of 65. After I retired, I spent a lot of time at the Red Cliffs Asst. Living Center, where I had two cousins. I asked who the new gal was, and they told me it was Beth. I was also told she had that brain fog that her kids spoke of, and she may not recognize me or talk much. I went over and sat by her and held her hand, saying "this is Kent Jones, your high school boyfriend". She jumped up and gave me a hug, and we chatted as if nothing had changed from ions ago. She looked as cute as she did back whenever. On one occasion when I went to take Ron Jones for a ride, Beth wanted to go along, and only then I felt something was different, but I told her our friendship would always last. I even met two of her sons during a visit. When she went to the old Juab County Hospital, as did two of my friends, it was still good to sit by her and hold her hand. Since my career required me to interview people from all walks of life, I could easily tell from today, she was and will always will be an excellent parent and child of God. As I did with my two sons, sports and work were her cup of tea, and all of her family and friends can feel a special honor to have Beth and Ron in their lives. Driving across Texas a few years ago, I wrote a song, which I recalled sitting on the back pew of my old 4th Ward Church. "Nothing Lasts Forever, Except Forever, And My Love For You". All of her kids and grandkids and loved ones can always count on Beth for her love. Always, till we all meet together. She remains close to us all.
