James (Jim) Millard Harper, age 86 passed on to his heavenly home on August 8, 2024 after a brief hospitalization.

Jim was the first born son to Pauline & Harry Harper on June 17, 1938 in Pleasant Plain, Ohio. When he was a young boy they moved to Warsaw, Missouri where his mother's family lived and later moved to the Springfield area. He attended Strafford schools and the family joined North Star Baptist Church. When he was 10 years old, he gave his life to Jesus and was baptized.

Jim's family moved to a home on Highway 13 north of Springfield where he attended Willard High School. They joined Robberson Prairie Baptist Church and he became a part of the church youth group. He met Virginia and they started dating right before he joined the Marines where he trained in San Diego and served in the reserves for eight years.

Jim and Virginia were married in 1961 and moved to Chicago for his lifetime career with TWA. They then lived in St. Louis, a brief time in Tulsa, and then returned to make their home and raise a family in St. Louis. He became a proud and dedicated Daddy to Susan, born in 1969, and Deanna in 1973. As a faithful member at Edmundson Road Baptist Church, he was ordained as a deacon and was a joyful choir member, singing in quartets and many duets with Virginia. He also loved teaching children's Sunday school and choirs, and patiently drove the church bus on youth mission trips! They then joined Parkway Baptist in St. Louis where he continued to worship and serve. Through the years, TWA's benefits gave him the opportunity to take his family on many domestic and international travels creating wonderful memories! Jim retired from TWA in 2000 after almost 40 years of loyal service and then Jim and Virginia moved back to Springfield to be closer to extended family and old friends. They made First Baptist their church home, enjoying the worship, choir and fellowship there.

Jim will always be remembered as a loving, faithful husband, devoted father and doting "Papa". No matter where Jim lived he sought to serve the Lord and care for his neighbors.

Jim is survived by his loving wife, Virginia of 63 years; daughter Susan Alligood (and husband David) of Johnson City, TN; daughter Deanna Hines (and husband Chris) of Springfield, MO; and five grandchildren – Susan and David's three children, Lauren Sweetman (and husband Trevor), Katelyn, and Luke; and Deanna and Chris' two children, Jared and Julia (and fiancé Hayden Wofford). Also surviving are Jim's sister, Jane Dunham (and husband Charles), and his brother Dan Harper (and wife Donna) and many faithful friends.

Graveside services will be held at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, August 13, 2024 in Robberson Prairie Cemetery, north of Springfield, under the care of Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers please feel free to give, in his honor, to the church or charity of your choice.