LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – A great man, James Andrew Tarpley, went to rest with the angels on Dec. 7, 2013.

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 18, 1937, in La Grande, Ore. 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.

He 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.

He wore many hats, some of them being: volunteer firefighter with the Upper Lake Fire Department, a firearms dealer, a race car driver with his brother Lee and being a hunter safety instructor.

Jim also was one of the best trap shooters in Lake County in the early 1970s and won many awards. He was a very knowledgeable man who loved to read books and fell in love with the Internet.

He successfully owned and operated his own pump company, Jim's Welding and Pumps, for more than 20 years 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 three children and wife of 43 years, Sally Esther Tarpley.

He 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.

There will be a celebration of life for Jim on Saturday, Dec. 21, at 1 p.m. at his son Jeff's house, located at 12130 Elk Mountain Road in Upper Lake. There will be a potluck lunch, so please bring a small side dish and your memories to share with all.

For more information, please contact Jeff at 707-349-8277 or Jamie at 707-349-3737.