Dates
Earl Eugene Sleeper, Jr. of San Angelo, TX left this world way too soon. At 40 years old he lost his courageous battle with pancreatic cancer on January 30, 2022. He is flying high with ceiling and visibility unlimited. Some knew him as Junior, some knew him as Bubba, and some knew him as Earl but everyone knew him as the greatest, kindest, sweetest, most selfless guy. He was humble, warm, loyal, trustworthy, smart, and just hilarious. He would open his home and give you the shirt off his back. Nobody on this Earth has a single bad thing to say about him. Anyone that knew him knew he had this love of flying that was always in his bones. If he wasn’t in a cockpit he was always looking at planes and talking about them. His favorite things to do were going to watch planes land and take off, play video games, watch football, and of course, bowl. Don’t let him fool you he was not just an “okay” bowler he was an awesome bowler.
He was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma to Earl Eugene Sleeper, Sr. and Pamela Sleeper. He had a sister Barbara and a brother Levi. He moved to Texas in 9th grade. After graduating from Central High School in San Angelo, TX, he attended Texas Tech University where he carried his love of marching band all the way through his senior year of college playing the baritone. He was a Kappa Kappa Psi brother. He was also a proud Red Raider and you could hear him always say “Go Tech!” no matter what game was on. Sometimes there wasn’t even a game and he would say it just because. After college he went on to work as an IT guy and eventually went to graduate school at Angelo State University where he got his MBA. After graduating with his MBA he moved to Lubbock where he met the love of his life. He married Kelly on June 28, 2014. They welcomed 2 girls, Sarah and Amanda. In Lubbock he also switched careers from IT to full time pilot. He got to live his dream. He said he got everything he ever wanted just not long enough.
He is survived by his wife Kelly Sleeper and his 2 daughters Sarah (5) and Amanda (1) of San Angelo, TX; parents Earl, Sr. and Pam Sleeper of San Angelo, TX; grandparents: Grace Sleeper of Hugoton, KS; Jim Michelson of Palm City, FL; Dianne Smith of Glendale, AZ; siblings: Barbara Miller and James of Owasso, OK and Levi Sleeper and Dana of Wolfforth, TX; nieces Lydia and Adi Sleeper of Wolfforth, TX; Brooklynn Kenny of Magnolia, TX; nephew Gary Miller of Owasso, OK; in-laws Debbie Kenny of Tomball, TX; John and Bernadette Kenny of Fulshear, TX; Chris Kenny of Magnolia, TX; and Angela Janik of Houston, TX. He is predeceased by his grandparents William Sleeper, Glen Smith, and Mae Michelson.
Viewing will be at Harper Funeral Home 2606 Southland Blvd, San Angelo, TX 76904 on Sunday, February 6 from 4 pm to 6 pm. Funeral will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church 3536 Lutheran Way, San Angelo, TX 76904 on Monday, February 7 at 11 am. Interment will be at Klein Memorial Park 9714 FM-2920, Tomball, TX 77375 on Wednesday, February 9 at 11 am.
In lieu of flowers please consider donating to their Go Fund Me. Earl always said that all he wanted to do is make sure his girls are taken care of. That is what mattered most to him.
https://www.gofundme.com/f/sending-…
The world lost one of the greats, but heaven gained an amazing angel. He will continue to soar above the clouds as he did in a plane here on Earth.
Family and friends may share condolences and sign the online register book at www.harper-funeralhome.com.
Visitation
Sunday, February 06, 2022
4:00PM - 6:00PM
Harper Funeral Home
2606 Southland Boulevard
San Angelo, TX 76904
Funeral Service
Monday, February 07, 2022
11:00AM
Trinity Lutheran Church of San Angelo
3536 Lutheran Way
San Angelo, TX 76904
Final Resting Place
Klein Memorial Park
9714 FM 2920
Tomball, Texas 77375