John Lapp

John Lapp died on Feb. 5, 2021 at his home in Holyoke following a battle with skin cancer at the age of 97.

He was born Feb. 20, 1923 in Hillrose to Jacob and Anna Marie Bath (Bott) Lapp. The eighth child of 11 in the family, John grew up helping on the family farms in the Windsor area as well as south of Kersey. In 1936, he graduated from the eighth grade at Valley View School just south of Kersey.

John enlisted in the United States Navy on Oct. 28, 1942 and served until Jan. 15, 1946. He participated in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of Operations aboard the USS LST 460 as a Motor Machinist's Mate First Class. The LST received the Navy Unit Commendation and earned five battle stars during World War II service before being sunk by a Japanese Kamikaze attack at Mindoro in the Philippine Islands on Dec. 21, 1944. In 2020, John celebrated his 37th LST 460 reunion in Titusville, Fla.

On June 10, 1949, John married Marjorie Ellen Boat at the Jennings Street Baptist Church in Greeley and together, they farmed for 49 years, raising crops and milking cows near Gill, Weldona, Wiggins, Fort Morgan, Yuma and last near Wray. John and Marjorie were blessed with 59 years of marriage until her passing on Nov. 11, 2008.

After retirement, John enjoyed restoring old tractors and travelling to antique farm shows across America. He was an Allis-Chalmers fan. John was a member of the American Agriculture Movement and attended its conventions each year. In 1979, he drove a tractor in the Tractorcade to Washington D.C. along with other farmers from across the nation. John loved to travel and did not care where he went, he just wanted to go! A highlight of his life was enjoying an Honor Flight Veterans trip to Washington, D.C. in 2011 accompanied by his son, Jim.

John is survived by his children Cheryl Showalter and husband David, Canon City, Linda Lapp and significant other Todd Vaughn, Wray, Richard Lapp, Brush, James Lapp and wife Marcita, Holyoke, and Diane Lapp, Lawrence, Kan.; grandchildren Curt Lapp and wife Jessica, Wray, Kristin Tryhane and husband Gerald, Whispering Pines, N.C., Michael Lapp and wife Cynthia, Brush, Jacob Lapp and wife Diane, Winchester, Va., and Erin Bremer, LaVista, Neb.; great-grandchildren Taylor, Kahlee, Braydon, Cayden, Maddysen, Caysn, Haley, Ainsley, Evelyn, Lucille, Jacqueline, Hallie, Samuel and Joshua.

John had the love of working and caring for the land. His value of hard work will be long remembered by his family and friends.

Funeral services were held on Feb. 12 with Pastor Ben Beckner officiating. Interment followed at the Grandview Cemetery in Wray.

Memorials can be made to the Wray Church of the Nazarene Youth and Children's Ministries.

Schmidt-Jones Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.