James John Harper, 71, Iola, died Wednesday, June 13, 2012, at Allen County Hospital.
James was born Sept. 10, 1940, in Kansas City, Mo., the son of Charles Allen and Bertha Marie (Aubele) Harper. He grew up in the Kansas City area and graduated from William Jewell College with a degree in botany.
James married Victoria Cummings and they divorced. He married Nova Lee (Keene) Baker Jan. 22, 1976. They made their home in Iola. She died Dec. 30, 2005.
James enjoyed singing in barbershop quartets and raising and hybridizing irises and lilies.
He is survived by three sons, Danny, Iola, James, Nevada, Mo., and Chuck, Kansas City, Mo.; two daughters, Lana Thayer, Winfield, and Patience Harper, Iola; eight grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his brother, Fredric.
Graveside service will be at 11 a.m. Monday at South Lawn Cemetery, Severy. Waugh-Yokum & Friskel Memorial Chapel, Iola, is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences for the family may be left at www.iolafuneral.com.
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