Murray Harper Corder, age 74, passed from this life on Friday, May 31, 2024, in his home in Burnside, Kentucky.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Murray Corder and Nellie Harper Corder from Harrisonburg, Virginia.

Harper leaves behind his wife, Elizabeth Ann Corder, of almost 14 years, a son, Greg Corder and wife Kate, of Bridgewater, VA; daughter Chrissy Lopez-Cotaina and husband Jose of Dayton, VA; and daughter Carol Hilliard and husband Steve of Harrisonburg, VA.  He is also survived by his grandchildren, Mike and Gabe Corder, Joey and Rebekah Lopez-Cotaina, Sarah Hilliard, Hannah Hilliard Gibson and husband, Aaron, all from the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia; and Kayla Stewart from Manchester, KY.  He leaves behind many cherished friends and family.

Harper was retired from the US Forestry Department and spent time as a K-9 Unit Officer in Laurel County, KY, a Special Agent in the US Department of Agriculture in Harrisonburg, VA and Elkins, WV, Law Enforcement for the Department of the Navy in Long Beach, CA, and a Bailiff for the Manchester Sheriff’s Department in Kentucky.  He enjoyed raising and riding trail horses, spending time with friends and family, and playing the guitar and mandolin.

Harper spent his childhood in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, but his heart was in Kentucky.  In accordance with his final wishes, he will be cremated upon which half of his ashes will be kept in the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia and half of his ashes will remain with his loved ones in Kentucky.  Southern Oaks Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements for Murray Harper Corder. A memorial service will be held at a later date.