James "Jim" Lee Apple

James "Jim" Lee Apple, age 81, of Longmont, Colorado passed away on Monday, May 30, 2022. Jim was born March 30, 1941 in Colorado.

He was a master of life many would say, he took control of his own destiny with his own two hands. Jim was no quitter, and he never backed down from a challenge something he passed onto his children and grandchildren. However apprehensive they may have been about the situation. Whether it was learning to drive in the snow or learning how to shoot a gun. But never both at the same time.

Jim’s dreams came true the day he got a job at John Deere as a Design Engineer in Cedar Falls Iowa, something that he was insanely proud of and never missed an opportunity to brag about, even wanting pictures many years later of the building where he spent 13 years of his life.

He was never about to miss a Waterloo farm team baseball game during his time in Iowa, cause what else was he gonna do in that “godforsaken” state as he called it, rain or shine or even tornado he would be in the stands ready for the pitcher to throw.

Jim received patents from his time at Storage Tech, something he was very proud of. And never backed down from making an amazing batch of Christmas cookies, which didn’t last long with his grandchildren around. He was a master of many things such as hiding Easter eggs or celebrating St. Patrick’s Day in a small bar in downtown Longmont being squeezed in at a small table with not much elbow room, but enough room for all the corned beef and cabbage he could take.

He was always smiling on the old farm, sitting on a porch swing, laughing, joking, probably just a little tipsy just enjoying life the way it was meant to be spent. Full of laughter.

Another thing he mastered was being a great storyteller, give him anything, and he would tell you a story of the old times, not always on topic but always entertaining. Some of the fondest memories with Jim included sitting there and just listening to him talk and watching him create things whether it was from a block of wood, or a rock. As his family will cherish the memories and will always remember him signing “Love, Gpa” something that will be missed dearly just like him.

Jim will be missed by his family and friends, who knew him best. He is survived by his son, and daughter, who gave him the gift of many grandchildren and great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife Mary of 45 years (married on June 19, 1960) who passed on in January of 2006.

A burial for Jim will be held Thursday, June 16, 2022 at 11:00 AM at Mizpah Cemetery, 12837 Weld County Road 32, Platteville, Colorado 80651.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.howemortuary.com for the Apple family.