James Allen Harper

MIDDLETON-James Harper age 77, passed away on April 1, 2014 at the UW Hospital in Madison. He was born on March 17, 1937 in Michigan, the son of Frederick Allen and Arthella (Bate) Harper. He was united in marriage to Sharon Lynn Buckley and together they raised two wonderful sons. Jim had a long and successful career in the insurance and financial services field, starting with Michigan Life in Royal Oak, Mich. and Miami, Fla. and including stops at Wisconsin Central Life in Oshkosh, Wi. and Wisconsin Life/Central Life here in Madison and Des Moines, Iowa before finishing his career with 15 years running his own agency in Grand Rapids, Mich. Retirement brought Jim and Sharon back to the Madison area to be close to their sons and reconnect to the church they helped found 35 years earlier. Jim enjoyed retirement even while struggling cheerfully through his health problems and took great pride in the accomplishments of his sons and grandsons. He was an integral part in so many activities of his current church and all the others he was a member of over the years. He enjoyed volunteering and served on the board of Middleton Outreach Ministry. Jim loved cheering on Badger sports teams, especially football and basketball. He is survived by his wife, Sharon (Buckley); sons, Timothy (Sheila) of Fond du Lac and Christian of Madison; and grandchildren, Eric, Brian, and Keegan, and brother, Jeffrey (Ann) of Bryan Ohio/Fla. Funeral services will be held at LUTHERAN CHURCH OF THE LIVING CHRIST, 110 N. Gammon Road, Madison at 11:00 AM on Monday, April 7, 2014 with the Reverend Daniel C. Kowert presiding. Visitation will be held on Monday from 9:30 AM until the time of the service at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Lutheran Church of the Living Christ or to Middleton Outreach Ministry. Jim will be dearly missed by his friends and family, but we are happy he has gone on to a better, painless place. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com. Gunderson West Funeral & Cremation Care 7435 University Avenue (608)831-6761