Anthony “Tony” Harpham, 49, of Lake Jackson, Texas, died Wednesday, June 24. Tony was born on July 26, 1970, in Superior, to Mike and Doris Harpham. Tony moved to St. Louis, Mo., his junior year of high school where he graduated from Parkway South High School. He went on to graduate with honors with a degree in chemistry from Benedictine College in 1993.

Tony met the love of his life, Jennifer Eifler, while attending Benedictine. Tony went on to attend the University of Oklahoma where he graduated Summa Cum Laude with a master’s degree in chemical engineering in May of 1996. Upon graduating he accepted a position with BASF and moved to Lake Jackson, Texas, to begin his career. Tony worked the next 24 years at Nylon Manufacturing in various roles from engineering to production management. Tony was an active member of St. Michael the Archangel Church in Lake Jackson for 24 years.

Tony and Jenny were united in marriage on July 3, 1993, in Plano, Texas. Tony was the caring father of seven children. Michael, Timothy, Nicholas, Patrick, Elizabeth, Daniel and Katherine. Tony and Jenny said they wanted a large family. He loved his wife and was a caring and wonderful dad. He was in the stands cheering on his children at their sporting and school events and dance recitals. When his older boys were younger, Tony coached Pee Wee and Little League Baseball and Upward Basketball.

Tony was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Chester and Eva Jane Harig; his paternal grandparents, Lucille and George Harpham; and his brother, Michael Scott.

He is survived by his wife, Jennifer Eifler Harpham; his children, Michael, Tim, Nick, Patrick, Elizabeth, Daniel and Katherine. Also surviving him are his parents, Mike and Doris Harpham; his brother, Chris Harpham; a nephew, Bailey Harpham; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

Serving as pallbearers were Cory Bayless, Vance Castator, Jay Garner, Todd Reaves, Chris Seymour and Robin Stanley.

There was a visitation at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church on Wednesday, from 6 to 7:30 p.m., with a rosary at 7:30 p.m. The funeral mass will be at 11 a.m, today (Thursday), at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church in Lake Jackson, officiated by Father Dwight Canizares and concelebrated with Monsignor Leo Wleczyk.