# 31
Hometown: Winchester, KY (Clark County)
Position: G Playing Height: 6-2 Playing Weight: 180
Date of Birth: February 13, 1942
Date of Death: December 12, 2025
Legal Name: Thomas Cecil Harper
Additional Photos: (1) (2) (3) (4) (5)
Game by Game Statistics
| Season | Games Played | Minutes | FG | FGA | % | FT | FTA | % | Total Rebs | Asst. | F | Total Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1961-62 | 4 | 8 | 2 | 8 | 25 | 2 | 4 | 50 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 6 |
| 1962-63 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1963-64 | 2 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 50 | 2 | 2 | 100 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Total | 7 | 15 | 3 | 11 | 27.27 | 4 | 6 | 66.67 | 7 | 1 | 2 | 10 |
Obituary - Tom Harper Obituary, Oldham, Roberts & Powell Funeral Home (December 12, 2025)
Thomas Cecil Harper passed away peacefully the morning of December 12th, 2025, surrounded by his loved ones. A lifetime Kentucky resident, Tom was born February 13th, 1942 in Winchester, Kentucky as the second child to Ernest C. and Ethel Thomas Harper. He is survived by his children Kimra (Bob) Cole, Kandi Harper, Thomas Morgan Harper, Darby Harper, Danielle (Ryan) Ellis, his grandchildren Alec Cole and Ashton Cole, all residing in Lexington, and his sisters Dora (John) Largent, New Albany, Indiana and Sherry Oliver of Lexington, Kentucky.
A product of the Great Depression, Tom had no choice but to be a survivor and a fighter. He came from nothing, and built an empire. He achieved accolades most would only ever dream of. He reached the quarter finals of the State Tournament twice with Clark County, and also set the school record for season points (919). Three-time Coach of the Year Letcher Norton once lauded that Tom had one of the best shots he had ever seen. One memorable moment was when the southpaw sank a 60 footer to beat Henry Clay with 4 seconds to go, 69-68. This success led him to a scholarship at the University of Kentucky to play alongside the legend, Adolph Rupp. It was in these formative years, under the direction of this banner coach, he would craft his skills as a leader and a hard worker.
After his college career, Tom felt the call back to Clark County, where as Coach he led the school to two quarter-final appearances and being named conference Coach of the Year three times. His three year career produced a 74-20 record. From there on, Tom transitioned to a career in education where he was an English professor at EKU while also serving as assistant basketball coach under lifelong friend Guy Strong. He was appointed by Governor John Y. Brown in 1983 to the EKU Board of Regents.
After his teaching and coaching career, Tom decided to apply his leadership skills to the real estate world and would become a lifelong entrepreneur. Over the next forty years, his efforts would shape the real estate landscape of Madison County. He developed whole swaths of I-75, he built hotels, he brought the most successful agents together under one roof, and most importantly - he was a great leader and person.
He was a mentor to others, he gave back to his community, and he lived his life in the most full way possible. Make no mistake - with the passing of Tom is the passing of an era. He was a giant of this community and he will be remembered forever. Tom will be remembered as a stringent, disciplined leader but also as a horsemen, father, grandfather, boater, golfer, a bon vivant, and most importantly, a man of God. While we grieve his loss and are saddened by his absence, rest easy knowing that Tom is in a better place, likely playing Horse right now with our Lord and Savior. Raise a Crown for Tom today and never forget the impact he had on all of you. Rest in peace, Big Tom.
Visitation and memorial service honoring TomÕs well-lived life will be Monday, December, 15th. Visitation will be from 11 am to 1 pm, with service following at Oldham-Roberts & Powell, Richmond, KY. This will be followed by a short memorial at his final resting place, the Winchester Cemetery.
The pallbearers will be: Tom Goebel, Bob Rose, Bob Cole, Tom M Harper, Ryan Ellis, Alec Cole, John T Largent, and Brian Largent.
John Largent Sr. will serve as an honorary pallbearer.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks you to please consider donating to the AlzheimerÕs Association.
