Obituary

Craig Bernard Harper, age 51 of Union City, California, passed away peacefully on Sunday, August 16, 2020. Craig was born in Oakland, CA, on August 29, 1968 to Charlie and Carolyn Harper, and grew up in Union City, CA. He attended Hillview Crest Elementary School, New Haven Middle School, and graduated from James Logan High School in 1986. Craig earned his Bachelors of Science degree from Cal Poly Pomona and his teaching credential from National University. Craig was a teacher at James Logan High School for the past 24 years and the JV Girls Basketball Coach for the past 22 years. Before teaching, Craig worked as a chemist in the Bay Area and in the Sacramento Area. He is survived by his wife of 25 years, Reilin Alvarado Harper, sons Marcus, Evan and Jackson Harper, parents Charlie and Carolyn Harper, sister Camille Harper, niece Rylie Harper, and many more family members.

Growing up Craig’s family would take road trips to New Orleans to visit his grandparents, Ferdinand and Mary Regis and Auntie Lois. They would also visit Columbus, Georgia to visit his aunts Mary Harper and Johnnie Perry and cousin Darryl. In recent years the family would enjoy Harper family reunions in the South. As a child Craig would have ready-made birthday parties when his 7 first cousins, children of Uncle William would visit from Sacramento. Craig and Camille had a wonderful childhood together with many happy memories.

Because of his easy going, calm nature, being married to Craig was easy. He never wanted to be the “bad guy” and could never tell anyone no. He always made Reilin deliver the bad news. He was always supportive of Reilin’s hobbies. He married into a very large family where he easily fit in. He was the favorite uncle by the 30+ nieces and nephews. He was relentlessly giving of his time and resources.

As the boys began playing in organized sports at the age of 4, Craig’s time would be that of a spectator in the stands, being their biggest fan, never missing a game or track meet. They traveled for many years to tournaments, including Las Vegas and Los Angeles. It’s rare when both your parents work at your high school and the whole staff have known you since you were born. The boys could never get away with anything, especially when your dad is so popular on campus. Craig would have their undivided attention when they were sitting in his barber chair as he cut their hair. That was his time to give them advice. Education and hard work were two values that Craig instilled in the boys. Their dad will always be their role model being larger in life than his actual size.

Craig was a dedicated teacher, choosing to teach zero period so he could coach in the afternoon. He loved coaching just as much as his love for teaching. His love of sports stemmed from his younger days of CYO basketball and track and field. Craig was a hard working man, also choosing to teach summer school every year. When the triplets were born in 2002, he only took one year off of coaching and summer school. He was well admired by his fellow colleagues and treated them with warmth and respect. He was known for his calm confidence. Many have said how he could light up a room with his smile.

Craig’s hobbies were golfing, thrifting/flea markets, tinkering with “motorbikes,” and making and drinking beer. He enjoyed spending time with his family and taking his mom to church.

Craig has many friends because of his outgoing personality and was still in touch with his friends from elementary, middle, and high school. Craig's childhood friend recalls great memories growing up. These memories included late night hide and go seek, tent forts on rainy days, long bike rides to get frogs, basketball, football and baseball games all year long. Camille often joined the boys and enjoyed fishing in the “flood control” by William Cann Park, and riding bikes all over Union City including Red Devil and Holiday Bowl. After they all grew up, Craig and his group of friends would continue to get together at Craig’s for poker parties where he would share his homemade beer. “Harpstyle” became a trademark for Craig. Whether it was from his impersonating Michael Jordan as a youngster, or finding a name for his homemade beer, Harpstyle became his brand.

Craig loved to keep up with all his former students through facebook and instagram and would love to tell Reilin all the wonderful things they were doing in their adult lives. As a coach, educator, and mentor, he touched countless lives. Many have shared how he impacted their lives by demonstrating love, compassion, and dedication. He always left his classroom door open during his lunch for students to come and hangout. Craig would love to boast about his niece Rylie and how proud he was of her intelligence, her good grades and her athleticism that he said she got from him. It sometimes became a safe haven for many going through the trials and tribulations of being a teen. He instilled confidence, in both passing chemistry to shooting a basketball.

Everyone loved his humor, it could be funny and sarcastic all at the same time. He always had a joke in his back pocket. He often had a favorite word, nickname, or phrase that many will remember him by.

Craig will leave a void that can never be replaced. He was a remarkable man who will never be forgotten.