James Lawson Knapp

“Eventually, all things merge into one, and a river runs through it. The river was cut by the world's great flood and runs over rocks from the basement of time. On some of the rocks are timeless raindrops. Under the rocks are the words, and some of the words are theirs. I am haunted by waters.” Norman Maclean Jim Knapp was called to the river that runs through his heavenly home after a long life filled with adventure and commitment to his family and nation. He is survived by his wife Arlene Knapp (nee Hoff), daughter Pamela Schifferly, sons Bradley Knapp (Delilah) and Scott Knapp (Heidi), eight grandchildren, and four greatgrandchildren. He loved them all dearly. Jim was born in the depths of the Great Depression in Holgate, OH, a suitable setting for a Norman Rockwell painting. He and his three sisters lived lives expected in a small rural setting where family, church, and community were priorities. He loved music, especially the big-band genre, and played several instruments in the high school band. He dreamed of one day playing in the rhythm section of a military band. Jim enlisted in the Ohio Army National Guard and was later activated to serve during the Korean War, a sacrifice that set the stage for his participation in an Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. later in life. Military service meant a lot to Jim, but it wasn’t the only thing that made him who he was. He was also a prolific artist who used many mediums, and he was a skilled photographer who won several awards for photos taken while he served in the Ohio Air National Guard 180th Tactical Fighter Group. Jim started his professional career as a barber in Bryan, OH, and later became an instructor at the Andrew-Toledo Barber College. He also sold furniture for many years at Lion Store in Southwyck Mall. No excess was too excessive for Jim while he embarked on life’s adventures. His slacks were always sharply creased, his shirts were perfectly pressed, and his ties always presented a deep Windsor dimple. He built veritable monuments to his children’s successes, especially on social media where bragging about his kids and grandkids became a great way to pass time during his later years. Hobbies were Jim’s distraction, and here he spared no expense. The best of everything, regardless of his focus at the time, was the only acceptable standard while pursuing his interests. Above all else, Jim was a fisherman who relentlessly pursued the legendary and elusive lunker named “Lead Pencil.” From a very early age, Jim found solace from life’s stresses at his favorite fishing holes along the Maumee River. They became his sanctuary, and he fished the annual walleye run with pilgrim-like persistence and veneration. In his later years, when standing waist deep in water was no longer possible, Jim would just park his car along the river and watched from a distance to see if the fish were biting. Jim will be missed, but his river runs forever through our hearts. Sleep well, old soldier. And don’t lose heart because ol’ Lead Pencil will soon be on your line.