- James Harp, Little Chute
The fish must have been biting in heaven on Saturday, May 19, 2001, when God called his servant James Joseph Harp to help with the catch. With his f amily at his side, he died as he lived his life, gently and peacefully, a nd with a final smile for all, just six weeks after receiving a diagnos is of cancer.
Jim walked this earth for 69 years, 50 of those spent with the love of h is life, Barbara (Scherer). He was born March 15, 1932, in Little Chut e. He graduated from St. John Grade School and High School, Little Chut e, and received a degree in Biology from St. Norbert College, De Per e, in 1954. But his real classroom was the out-of-doors. His life was dedi cated to God's green earth and all its creatures. He shared that love free ly with his family, friends and readers of The Post-Crescent throughout h is lifetime. Jim joined the newspaper staff the day following his graduati on from college, and served in a variety of roles in his 38 years at the n ewspaper, before retiring in 1992. His favorite assignment was outdoor edi tor, and he wrote a column titled "Single Shot." It became his moniker f or the many years he spent "battling the elements," as he put it, hunti ng and fishing virtually every species on this continent, and a few beyo nd these borders. He also was known as "Mr. Valentine" for his traditi on of making certain that no female employee at the newspaper went unrecog nized on that special day. During his tenure at The Post-Crescent, he deve loped the Master Angler Contest as well as the Bowl-O-Rama, in which thous ands of people participated over the years.
Many of Jim's articles were shared with audiences beyond the Fox Valle y. He had one story on Lake Winnebago's sturgeon published in the Wall Str eet Journal, a variety of articles in Field & Stream magazine, and o ne of his tales was the subject of a Paul Harvey broadcast. During his ret irement, he became a columnist for the Fox Cities Newspapers and was warm ed by the response from readers who said they had missed his tales over t he past few years.
With his wife of 47 years at his side, Jim was most at home in a boat dock ed at their cottage The Duck Shack on Lake Poygan. The north woods was a s econd love, and his years with his buddies at Shangri-Lodge made for ma ny good newspaper stories and memories for us all. Jim and Barb truly enjo yed get-togethers with friends, and whether he was "skippering" the Annu al Cecil Cruise or presiding at a barbecue or campfire, Jim's understat ed humor, droll commentary on life and occasional country-music song-styli ngs will remain treasured remembrances.
Jim and Barb were blessed with eight children who learned early that life 's adventures and the out-of-doors would be a big part of their lives. Th ey include: Mary and Jeff Harp-Jirschele, Menasha; Mike and Lynn Harp, Com bined Locks; Marcy and Todd Voss, Neenah; Maureen Bogenschutz, Longview, T exas; Marty and Karen Harp, Lewisville, North Carolina; Matt and Ellen Har p, Hortonville, and Mark Harp, Little Chute. A daughter, Margaret, di ed in 1990 and was waiting at Heaven's Gate to greet her dad.
Jim was a kind and gentle soul who had a way with little ones, and he w as a wonderful grandfather to Angela LeNoble, Ben and Sam Harp; Matt McCar ty, Evan Voss and Chandra Federle; Sarah and Jason Bogenschutz; Alex, Anna belle and Margaret Harp; Garret Harp; and one great-granddaughter Taryn Be ckstrom.
Jim was the oldest of five rambunctious brothers born to Gene and Loret ta (Heesakker) Harp. His brothers and their wives include Tom and Ruth Har p, Appleton; David and Arlene Harp, Green Bay; and Richard and Carol Har p, Menasha. His brother, Leo, preceded him in death, as did his parents. O ther survivors include Barb's brother and his wife, John and Joan Schere r, Darboy, and Barb's sister, Pat Van Camp, St. Louis.
Also on hand to welcome him home to God were Barb's parents, John and Lau ra (Pfiester) Scherer; a sister-in-law, Sr. Mary Scherer, and a brother-in -law, Jim Van Camp.
Beyond writing and family, Jim's interests and hobbies were many. As a you ng man he was a skilled basketball and baseball player, as well as a boxe r. He also dabbled in drama, and earned the nickname "Digger" for one espe cially memorable role. His lifelong sporting passions included bowling, go lf and the Blohm's Insurance softball team. Most recently, he was a first- rate shuffleboard player at their retirement village in North Ft. Myers, F lorida. In between all the activity, he reveled in beating Barb (occasiona lly) in their daily games of Scrabble.
He was a man who loved people, and paired with his love for the outdoor s, he forged many bonds with organizations like the Wild Turkey Federatio n, Sturgeons for Tomorrow, Ducks Unlimited, Trout Unlimited, Dave's Mus ky Club, World Musky Hunt, Fun Seekers, JBTDBK Fishing Club and Outdoor Wr iters of America. He was a member of St. Paul Parish in Combined Locks, t he Little Chute Kiwanis and a lifetime member of the Knights of Columbus.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established to help handicapped pe ople of all ages enjoy the outdoors as much as Jim did.
Friends may celebrate Jim's life with the family from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesda y, May 22, 2001, at St. Paul Catholic Church, Combined Locks, where the re will be a prayer service at 7 p.m. On Wednesday, May 23, 2001, visitati on will continue from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Mass will be at 10:30 a.m. with F r. Bob Vandenberg officiating. Inurnment will be in St. Paul Cemetery, Com bined Locks, next to his daughter Margaret.
James Harp 5/19/2001 Post Crescent 5/21/2001 C 4
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1932 - 2001 (69 years)
Education - High School
