James Robert Pape (Lebanon)'s Obituary
James Robert Pape, the middle child of nine of Ferdinand and Hildegard (Pries) Pape, was born June 15, 1929, in West Union, Iowa. He departed this life Wednesday, April 6, 2011, surrounded by his loved ones, in his home, in Lebanon, Missouri, at the age of eighty-one years, nine months, twenty-one days.
On December 1, 1957, he was united in marriage to Arla June Aegerter, and to this union four daughters were born.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and a brother, Victor Pape.
James is survived by his wife, of fifty-three years, Arla, of the home; four daughters, Jewel Elam, Jayne Sharp, and her husband, David, all of Lebanon, Missouri, and twins, Rachel Anderson, and her husband, Jim and Rebecca Green, all of Edmond, Oklahoma; eighteen grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; three brothers, Harry Pape, and Lee Pape, both of West Union, Iowa, and Arlo Pape, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; four sisters, Vydis Rose, of West Union, Iowa, Betty Rose, of Elgin, Iowa, Eileen Lowry, of Maynard, Iowa, and Phyllis Holmstrom, of West Union, Iowa; a number of nieces and nephews; as well as a host of other relatives and friends.
He was born and raised in Iowa, and then served his country faithfully in the United States Army from 1951 until 1953, during the Korean War. Jim was an Iowa farmer until 1973, when he and his family moved to Lebanon, Missouri, and bought Forest Manor Motel, which they operated until 1976. At that time, he entered into home construction, which led him to Hot Springs, Arkansas, in 1980. In 2000, Jim and Arla chose to enjoy their retirement in Lebanon, where he constructed his final home.
He enjoyed building, gardening, traveling and spending time with his family and friends.
In addition to being a devoted Christian, loving husband, wonderful dad and grandpa, he was deeply loved and will be missed. He was selfless in his acts of kindness and generosity. Anyone who came in contact with him couldn’t help but feel richly blessed.
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