Robert Earl Harper was born in Belle Glade, Florida on March 28, 1956 to the parentage of Albert and Sylvia Harper. He was the sixth of seven children.

Robert Earl was educated in the Glades area schools, completing his formal education as a graduate of Glades Central High School Class of 1974. Following graduation, Robert Earl worked in the farm industry for over thirty years.

Gate, as he was known to his friends, transitioned to life everlasting on Monday, October 31, 2016, meeting his parents, Albert and Sylvia, and two brothers, William and Albert, Jr. at the river of Jordan.

He leaves to cherish his memories one son, Robert Cross, of Belle Glade, FL; Step-father, James Wilson, of West Palm Beach, FL; three brothers: Joseph (Naomi) of South Carolina, Tommie (Mary) of Pahokee, FL and Vance (Gail) of West Palm Beach, FL; one sister: Linda, of Belle Glade, FL; one Uncle: Eddie Warren, of Belle Glade, FL and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and other sorrowing family members, neighbors, coworkers and friends