James Andrew Tarpley

A great man went to rest with the Angels on December 7th 2013, James Andrew Tarpley. He has touched so many lives and will be remembered by all. Jim was the oldest of three children born to Mirl James and Grace Fern Tarpley on July 18th 1937 in La Grande Oregon. He moved to Lake County in the early 1950s. Jim had many hobbies and jobs. He worked for Tule Lake Bean Farm, drove hops to Hopland, built concrete swimming pools, and eventually found his passion as a pump technician. Jim was a member of many groups including Lake County Rod and Gun Club, Elk Mountain Gun Club and the Lions Club. Jim absolutely loved being outdoors. His favorite hobbies were hunting, fishing, camping, collecting guns, flying in airplanes, and taxidermy. Jim wore many hats, some of them being: volunteer firefighter with the Upper Lake Fire Department, a firearms dealer, a racecar driver with his brother Lee, and being a hunter safety instructor. Jim was also one of the best trap shooters in Lake County in the early 70's and won many awards. He was a very knowledgeable man who loved to read books and fell in love with the internet. Jim owned and operated his own pump company, Jim's Welding and Pumps, for more than 20 years successfully with the help of his two sons Jimbo and Jeff, his brother Lee, and his grandson Joe. Jim is preceded in death by his parents Mirl and Grace, and the mother of his 3 children and wife of 43 years, Sally Esther Tarpley. Jim leaves behind many family members including his wife Rebekah Tarpley and her three children, Jeffrey, Miles, and Danielle, his sons Jimbo and Jeff (Mary), his daughter Debbie (Chris), his brothers Lee and Ted (Nancy), his granddaughters Jamie (Joe) and Nikki, his grandsons Jeffrey, Robert, and Tony, his nieces, nephews, and great grandchildren. We will have a celebration of life for Jim on Saturday December 21st at 1 p.m. at his son Jeff's house located at 12130 Elk Mountain Road in Upper Lake. We will have a potluck lunch, so please bring a small side dish and your memories to share with all. Please contact Jeff at 349-8277 or Jamie at 349-3737