James Ivan Carper

James Ivan Carper passed away on Feb. 7, 2024 at the Regent Park Nursing Facility in Holyoke at the age of 93.

Jim was born on Jan. 15, 1931 in Silver Lake, Neb. to George Benjamin Carper and Martha Anne Stauffer. He was born after his brother, Lavelle, and sister, Eileen, and had two younger sisters, Rachel and Carole.

In 1940, the family moved from Ayr, Neb. to Colorado to the homestead of Jim's grandparents outside of Haxtun. Jim attended elementary school in the country at Glenwood School near the family farm and then proceeded to Haxtun High School, where he graduated in 1948. Jim's brother, Lavelle, passed away in 1943 at the age of 21 while he was in the military, due to complications caused by pneumonia. In 1947, due to the death of his father, George Carper, Jim stayed home to help take care of the family farm, along with his mother, Martha, and his sisters, Eileen, Rachel and Carole.

Jim married Delores Bornhoft on Oct. 2, 1955 in Sterling. After their marriage, Jim and Delores lived in Sterling and eventually moved to the family farm outside of Haxtun, where Jim had grown up. They had three children, Tim, Gary and Kelly. After marrying Delores, Jim worked at various odd jobs, including working for Paul and Phil Ruch, as well as for the Sharpe brothers. In 1967, Jim started his own earthmoving business. He also farmed dryland wheat and corn. Jim's sons, Tim and Gary, helped with the farming and also hauled dirt alongside their dad. Jim and Tim eventually became partners in the earthmoving business. Tim and Jim's grandson, Doug, are partners in the same earthmoving business today. Jim also enjoyed working with Gary on woodworking projects in the shop. He and Delores spent much of their time watching all of their kids participate in grade school and high school sports and later on traveled to watch their daughter, Kelly, play college basketball.

They formed many long-lasting friendships in the Haxtun area and often enjoyed gathering for dinners and card-playing with many of their friends. Jim was an active member in the Haxtun community, including being a member of the Haxtun Fire Board and Haxtun Co-op Oil Board. He was also a longtime Elks Lodge member. In October of 1988, Jim lost Delores, when she suddenly passed away. Jim moved into the town of Haxtun and later retired and moved to Sun City, Ariz. In his retirement, he enjoyed going to the welding and woodworking shop at the recreation center in their retirement community, where he also enjoyed having coffee and donuts with the other welders and woodworkers from the area. Jim made metal candle holders, fireplace screens and plant stands. He also became very skilled at woodworking, making numerous intricately designed bowls, cutting boards, stands, and he even made his own urn for his ashes. Everyone in the Carper family has beautiful wood treasures as decoration throughout their homes in memory of Jim.

Jim moved back to Holyoke in April of 2022 to be closer to family and lived in the Carriage House Assisted Living Facility. He loved spending time with family, including his grandchildren, their spouses, great-grandchildren and reconnecting with old friends and loved ones from the past.

Jim is survived by his children Tim Carper and wife Arlene, Gary Carper and wife Paula and Kelly Carper; grandchildren Laura Carper, Phawn Houghtelling and husband Coltin, Kyle Carper and wife Erin and Doug Carper and wife Elizabeth; great-grandchildren Camden, Cole, Phallan and Rylan; sisters Rachel Einspahr and husband Vern and Carole Smith; and sister-in-law Janice Bornhoft.

Jim is preceded in death by his wife Delores; parents George and Martha; in-laws August and Elizabeth Bornhoft; brother Lavelle; sister Eileen; brothers-in-law Henry McClure, Frank Lowe, Keith Smith, William Gilreath, Melvin Bornhoft, Harold Bornhoft, Louis Bornhoft and Don Bornhoft; sisters-in-law Mildred Gilreath, Dee Bornhoft, Francis Bornhoft and Tally Bornhoft; wife Jean Widgery; wife Lila Ditter; and partner Gertrude Malone.

A celebration of life was held at Haxtun Community Center on Feb. 15. For Jim's love of agriculture, welding and woodworking, memorials can be made to the Jim Carper Memorial Fund in care of Haxtun Agriculture Department at Haxtun High School, 201 West Powell Street, Haxtun, CO 80731.