Herman Hollis Harp (Plainview)

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Herman Hollis Harp, 81, passed away in Plainview, TX on March 30, 2023. His final days were filled with loving care, time with family, and storytelling. He was born on May 30, 1941 in Amarillo, TX to Taylor and Ellen Harp. Funeral services will be held on Friday, April 7th, at 1:00 PM at Kornerstone Funeral Directors in Plainview followed by private burial. Arrangements are under the care of Kornerstone Funeral Directors of Plainview.

Herman grew up in Amarillo, TX with one sister and four brothers in a home always filled with music. When he was young his mother joined the Seventh Day Adventist church. Herman was an active member of the Adventist church for his entire life.

Herman began singing in church at age twelve. At age seventeen, he was invited to assist a young Adventist pastor in a crusade. This experience inspired him and he assisted in evangelism whenever he could. He was part of over fifty crusades. Around 1959, he sang with the Four Steps quartet and later the Knights of Harmony quartet. The quartet sang mostly gospel songs, but also preformed barbershop music in their tours. Herman formed a friendship with Marvin Ponder and in 1961 the two began performing as a folk singing duo known as the Discords. During this time he sang stage backup vocals for several recording and touring artists. A memorable venture was doing backup vocals for "Please, Mr. Custer, I Don’t Want To Go," a comical hit in the 1960s that sold over a million copies. In 1974, Ponder and Harp joined with Gene and Marie Jennings to form a popular gospel team known as Ponder, Harp, and Jennings. For 22 years they toured nationwide performing concerts and recorded ten albums. Two these albums won Angel Awards, one for Best Gospel Group, the other for Best Gospel Album. In 1989 he married Sonnie Harp and the two sang together, performing concerts on weekends. In 1994 they began full-time music ministry, performing about 250 concerts a year. They established Daybreak Christian Artists and began releasing CDs.

Herman was a beloved father and cherished uncle. His greatest joy in life was his two sons. He loved teaching them every sport, always throwing a ball, teaching them to ice skate, riding bikes and golf. He was also a lover of history which led to him creating an ongoing story he would tell his sons each night about two boys named Randy and Poonjab. He was an invested and present father who was kind and patient. He spent many years teaching within the Adventist school system and was loved by the students.

Herman is survived by his two sons: Jon Harp of Amarillo, TX (wife Lindsay, son Elijah Harp, daughter River Harp, and son Reagan Ruppelt) and Tom Harp of Plainview, TX (wife Maury, daughter Megan Harp and son Jaden Harp); as well as a step-son, Kevin Shull (wife Jennifer and son Max Shull), step-daughter Kim Bryant (husband Jason Bryant and daughter Mary Gray Kiihnl); his sister Norma Rosser, brothers Doyle Harp (wife Pat) and Richard Harp, along with nieces and nephews.

Herman is preceded in death by his wife Sondra K Harp; parents Taylor and Ellen Harp; sister Joyce Harp, two brothers Robert Harp and Albert “Buddy” Harp.