A Memorial Service for James “Jim” Troy Lapham will be on Saturday, October 18, 2025 at The American Legion 149 Memorial Plaza, in Springfield, Missouri, 65806.
James Troy Lapham was born to Roland R. Lapham & Judith A. Renner, August 6, 1965, in San Fransico, California. He was the eldest and only boy amongst 8 sisters in total. His parents divorced in 1974. When Jim was only 17 he left home, got his GED, and applied for the Army. He received the highest test scores in California for taking the ASVAB, and still to this day no one has surpassed that score in California. James served and did his part for his country. When he was 18, he discovered that he had created a child, who was born in 1985, with his High School sweetheart. A little girl she named Amanda. James soon found Dorothy, and she was his soul mate. They met in 1991, and since she had been married before, she didn’t want to marry again. James didn’t give up. They moved in together and took it slow. He adopted her three children in every way but one. To Jim, family didn’t mean just blood like most. Family was who ever wanted to be a part of it.
Dorothy got to know his whole family and married him any way on December 05, 1995. James graduated with a Master’s degree in engineering. He tried briefly to become a doctor, but soon realized within the first month or two it wasn’t for him. Electronics and cellular was his bag! He had the chance to do what many only dreamed of… he traveled the world. James even had such an imagination that he created an invention, a light pole that could stand up against a category 5 storm. It would work for any cellular service on the planet, had an emergency service to help direct people out of danger, could be ran by solar and replenish energy back to the city, and so much more. James patented it, but people came out of the woodwork to try and steal it from him and claim it as their own. James was a true patriot and believed in his country and supported his local American Legion Post #69. James just turned 60 this year and was beaming with excitement to finally be able to retire and travel the US in an RV and see the world of glamping.
James passed away October 08, 2025, at his home in Ava, Missouri. James was surpassed in death by both his parents, Daughter Amanda, sister Shannon, sister Julie, best friend/brother Phil Davies. Jim is survived by his wife Dorothy, Son’s Curtis & Josh, and Youngest Daughter Sarah Ford (husband Zack, granddaughter Ella), Amanda’s children: grandson’s Paul, Wyatt, Liam, granddaughter’s Kaidence & Kodi)Jim’s sisters Diana Volkmar (Niece’s Cheress, & Tenecia, nephew Randall & John), Demaris Pires, Regina Bagwell (husband Daniel, nephews Steven & Mitchell), Allecia Lemmon (husband Justin, nephew’s Micheal, Justin & Niece Ashlee) Jessica Grainger (nephew Eugene, Nick, Scott, Nathaniel, Christopher & Niece Courtney) Harlanda Chavez (husband Adrian, nephew Jeremy, niece’s Madison & Makayla) Friend/Brother Jamison Short (nephew Myrin) cousins Lisa, Janera, Tamara, Rene, Rick & Chris. And Aunt Barbara Cash.
Jim’s favorite quotes from Star Wars… “I have Spoken,” “This is the Way”
