Guy MacDonald Harper, 92, of Burien, WA, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, August 26, 2025.
Guy was born on Sept. 12, 1932 in Seattle, WA, to Cecil and Myrtle Harper. He grew up at Three Tree Point in Burien, where summers were spent fishing, swimming, and water skiing. Those early days shaped the adventurous spirit that he carried his whole life.
He attended Lake Burien School and was a proud Eagle Scout. He later attended Highline High School and graduated in 1950.
Guy went on to the University of Washington, where he rowed for the UW Crew and competed in the Olympic time trials. In 1951, he was part of the winning freshman boat at the IRA National Crew races. He was a member of the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity. He later served in the Naval Air Reserves. In 1986, Guy and fellow retired oarsmen founded the Ancient Mariners Club, training and racing out of the Pocock Rowing Center.
Guy worked for Reynolds Aluminum and retired at the age of 57. Retirement only deepened his commitment to creativity and service – he became a master wood carver and contributed to civic projects in Burien, including the arch at Lake Burien Park and the beloved Conversation Table, installed to invite connection amongst others. In 2010, he co-authored the Three Tree Point book, helping preserve the stories and spirit of the community that raised him.
Guy was known for his generosity, his talent for fixing just about anything, and his ability to make everyone feel welcome. On his 90th birthday, he shared that the word “Inspire” best captured his approach to life – it was a guiding principle that led him to set meaningful goals, help others, and encourage those around him to do the same.
Guy is survived by his wife of 46 years, Pam Harper; his children, Kathy, Colleen and Jeff; his stepchildren Nancy, Michael and Steve; many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and one-great-great-grandson, Harper.
Memorial Set for Friday, Sept. 26
A memorial will be held at Lake Burien Presbyterian church on Friday, Sept. 26, 2025.
Guy’s legacy lives on in the lives he touched and the community he helped shape. Learn more about his artwork here.
“There truly was no guy like our Guy.“
Publisher’s Tribute to Guy Harper
I had the privilege of knowing Guy Harper — and his wonderful wife, Pam — through my 17+ years of publishing The B-Town Blog.
Guy was one of those rare individuals who seemed to embody the very spirit of Burien: a prolific Artist, a keeper of local history, and a charming, fun and generous “Man About B-Town.”
I can’t recall exactly how we first met, but I always enjoyed every chance to spend time with him. He had a deep appreciation for local journalism, the history of Burien and arts, and often reached out to me to share something fascinating, whether it was one of his original wood carvings, a story tied to the “Miss Burien” hydroplane or Three Tree Point, rowing/boating, or another piece of local history that he had lovingly preserved.
Just a few weeks ago, I was fortunate enough to sit down with Guy for about 45 minutes. He drove to my house. I got in his car and we talked, laughed and caught up, and he told me matter-of-factly that he was in hospice and had limited time left. That didn’t seem to phase him, and he shared this incredibly personal news in a very impressive, open manner. I was able to tell him how much I enjoyed spending time with him, but his loss still came as quite a shock.
At the end of our visit, he surprised me with a gift — an original “Miss Burien” hydroplane artifact he had created (photo below). On one side of the sign above the wooden hydro is a photo of the boat during its “Dan the Sausageman” re-launch, and on the other side is a “Welcome” sign. This piece now sits proudly in my office, a lasting reminder of Guy’s creativity and generosity.
His passion for Native American carving always struck a chord with me, as it reminded me of my own father, who taught himself to carve totem poles in our garage. To this day, I still keep many of my dad’s chisels and carvings, and it always made conversations with Guy feel especially meaningful.
Guy, thank you for your kindness, your talent, your humor and your friendship. I will always treasure our time together.
My deepest sympathies go out to Pam, his family, and to all who knew and loved him.
– Scott Schaefer
Founder/Publisher
EDITOR’S NOTE: We publish sympathetic Obituaries for a much lower cost – just $125 each – than a Seattle newspaper (plus, we rank very high in Google searches)! Please email text and a photo to scott@southkingmedia.com.
Guy &Pam were also a long time member of The Burien Backslider Ski Club. The club still goes to Crystal Mountain on Wednesdays.