World War II Veteran AUGUSTA, Ga. - Fred Eugene Harper 88, passed away January 28, 2014 due to heart failure. Fred was born in Monroe, GA to Calvin and Leavie Bell Harper and had 2 brothers, Franklin and Tommy. He was in the Navy during World War II seeing much of the South Pacific from his post as an electrician on an LST. He married Doris Jean Shaw on January 18, 1954 in Atlanta, GA; and prior to her death they celebrated their 50th anniversary with family and friends in 2004. Fred was known by many friends in the Augusta area as "The Coffee Man". Fred had a big heart and a big smile and had many great stories to tell. Fred was a driver and official at several Augusta area race tracks. He was a member of the Augusta International Raceway Preservation Society and was inducted into the AIRPS Hall of Fame in September 2008. He is survived by his children, Mike Harper of Sturgis, SD, Billy Harper and wife Sandy Hudson of Blythe, GA and Marlene Campbell and husband Jim of Duluth, GA; 8 grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews and in-Laws; and Fred s dear friends whom he thought of as family, Jack and Sammy Watson of Augusta, GA, and Walter and Vicki Newman of Grovetown, GA. Arrangements are being handled by Thomas L. King Funeral Home, 124 Davis Road, Martinez, GA 30907. 706-863-6747; viewing is Tuesday night from 6 pm to 8 pm and the funeral service will be in the chapel there Wednesday at 1:00 pm with burial following at Hillcrest Cemetery in Augusta. Fred s final ride will be attended to by a pit crew consisting of: Walter Newman, Jack Watson, Joe Riddle, Johnny Hollins, Joe Cawley, Johnny Crews, Jay Newman.