Matthew Douglas Harper

Matthew Douglas Harper, 40, of Mount Ida, AR,won the race of life and went home to be with his Lord and savior Jesus Christ on January 11, 2026, at home with family by his side. He was born on December 16, 1985, in North Little Rock, AR to Leslie Harper and Vicki (West) Barrett. Matthew attended church at Community Outreach Ministries in Mt. Ida, AR. Anyone who knew him, knew he  put God first, his family second, and the Rams third. Matthew is preceded in death by his maternal grandfather Jerry West, paternal grandparents Kenneth and Mary Harper.

Matthew is survived by the light of his life, his daughter, Alora Grace Harper, mother Vicki Barrett, father Leslie Harper and wife Patricia, brothers Zach Barrett and wife Serenity, Tate Harper, sisters Melissa Morris and Courtney Smith and husband Cody, maternal grandmother Clara West, the mother of his daughter Casandra Golden, nieces, nephews and a host of other family and friends. Matthew will be missed dearly by all who knew and loved him. 

Graveside service will be Thursday, January 15, 2026, at 2pm at Black Springs Cemetery in Norman, AR. Bro. Josh Harper will officiate the service. Arrangements under the direction of Thornton Funeral Home in Mount Ida, AR. Guest register at www.thorntonfh.com.