Dexter Harper

Dexter was born August 18, 1958, in Atlanta, Texas, to Aldora Harper and Johnnie C. Ivery.  As a child, Dexter relocated to Amarillo where he became a lifelong resident.

Dexter was a proud member of the Palo Duro High School graduating Class of 1976 where he served as the Loyal Don mascot his senior year.  Dexter attended Amarillo College where he studied Broadcast Communications and was a radio DJ in the early stages of his career.

While in high school, Dexter met Trishia Richardson, and they were joined in marriage on April 25, 1980. They were married for 41 years. Within their union, Dexter and Trishia raised their three daughters: Yolonda, Lakishia, and Rachel.

Dexter was a member of Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church, where he was ordained as a Deacon in 2011, under the leadership of Pastor Morris Mitchell Sr.

Dexter was a 40-year veteran of the information technology industry and retired from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center after 25 years of service.  Throughout the span of his career, Dexter held many roles in IT, including computer programmer, data analyst, and database/systems administrator.

As a lifelong resident of Amarillo, Dexter was very active in the community.  In 2001, Dexter founded North Amarillo Now, which he established to address the concerns of African American communities across West Texas.  Its mission was to serve as a catalyst in the provision of both short- and long-term solutions that will enrich individuals, businesses, and the community.  In recognition of his service, Dexter was presented with the Carver Golden Dragon Association Prestige Award and Northside Toy Drive Community Service Award in recognition of his outstanding contributions to his community.

Dexter formerly served as the president of the Amarillo Branch of ASALH (Association for the Study of African American Life and History). He also formerly served as the vice president of the Amarillo Chapter of the NAACP.

In his spare time, Dexter was a freelance professional event photographer having completed assignments for Amarillo Globe-News, Amarillo Botanical Gardens, Northside Toy Drive, Amarillo Alzheimer’s Association, Amarillo March of Dimes, Amarillo NAACP, Ascension Academy, and many other non-profit organizations throughout the greater Amarillo area.  MaxPreps, America’s source for high school sports, regarded Dexter as one of the most active sports photographers in the Panhandle of Texas.  He was a fixture on the sideline and courtside of high school and middle school sporting events within the Top of Texas.

Dexter was the eldest of his nine siblings and was well known for his kindheartedness and infectious laugh.

Dexter was preceded in death by his wife, Trishia Harper; mother, Aldora (Harper) Rodgers; father, Johnnie C. Ivery; grandparents: Spencer and Elzora Harper and Theolia and Lorene Ivery; sister, Donna Anderson, and brothers Rickey Ivery and Kirk Harper.

Dexter is survived by his daughters: Yolonda Shorter, Lakishia Harper, and Rachel (Diondre) Byone; granddaughters: Armani Tijerina and Lauren Byone; brothers: Shadell Jones and Kenneth Wayne (Natalie) Ivery; sisters: Kimberly Ivery, Linda Ivery, Carla Chambers, and Katrina Jones; sister-in-law Felicia Shaffer; and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends who will forever cherish his memory.

The family would like to thank Dexter’s co-workers and staff at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center for their continued support and loving care.

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