Obituary for James Lewis Lanphear
James Lewis Lanphear, age 87, passed away suddenly at his home on Friday, May 15, 2020. He was born in South Bend, Indiana to Clyde and Helen Lanphear on August 6, 1932. He was the youngest of four children.
Jim graduated from Mishawaka High School in 1951. He was nicknamed Oogie by his friends after Oogie Pringle who was a character on the radio show “A Date with Judy” (was that a premonition?) While in school he belonged to the speech club, Thespians, audio visual club and math club. He made brotherhood in the Order of the Arrow and was also an Eagle Scout. During sophomore year he worked at Larriete’s Drive-In. During senior year he worked at the Studebaker Automobile Company on the assembly line at nights while going to school part time. Jim also worked for the City of Mishawaka after graduation before entering the Navy. He did odd jobs such as driving trucks and snowplows.
Jim served in the Navy from 1952 to 1956 and spent most of his time in Quonset Point, Rhode Island where he was introduced to Judy. He graduated from Purdue University in 1960. After establishing homes from coast to coast, he retired to Spokane in 2002 and was very active in the Striders INW senior fitness group. He was known for his humorous antics of providing his “MY CARD” to everyone he met to put a smile on their face. He is survived by Judy, his wife of 64 years; three children; seven grandchildren; and four great grandchildren.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association at www.alz.org.
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Jim graduated from Mishawaka High School in 1951. He was nicknamed Oogie by his friends after Oogie Pringle who was a character on the radio show “A Date with Judy” (was that a premonition?) While in school he belonged to the speech club, Thespians, audio visual club and math club. He made brotherhood in the Order of the Arrow and was also an Eagle Scout. During sophomore year he worked at Larriete’s Drive-In. During senior year he worked at the Studebaker Automobile Company on the assembly line at nights while going to school part time. Jim also worked for the City of Mishawaka after graduation before entering the Navy. He did odd jobs such as driving trucks and snowplows.
Jim served in the Navy from 1952 to 1956 and spent most of his time in Quonset Point, Rhode Island where he was introduced to Judy. He graduated from Purdue University in 1960. After establishing homes from coast to coast, he retired to Spokane in 2002 and was very active in the Striders INW senior fitness group. He was known for his humorous antics of providing his “MY CARD” to everyone he met to put a smile on their face. He is survived by Judy, his wife of 64 years; three children; seven grandchildren; and four great grandchildren.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association at www.alz.org.
To plant a tree in memory of James Lewis Lanphear, visit the Tribute Store.
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