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James Knapp Obituary
A celebration of life and barbecue will be at 1 p.m. May 7 at his home, 18172 Marion Lake Drive, near Big Lake.
Born Aug. 20, 1944, to Alice and Loren Knapp of Dodge City, Kan., Jim moved with his family to Alaska shortly after World War II ended, spending their first winter in Whittier.
His childhood was spent in the Rabbit Creek area, where he enjoyed hitchhiking to football practice. Jim graduated from East Anchorage High School in 1963. He graduated from the University of Alaska Fairbanks, where he met his future wife, Lynndeen Barnett Knapp. They were married on May 20, 1967, and spent their honeymoon in Nenana. Now, that's true love.
One project on which Jim worked was the Parks Highway Nenana River Bridge. He proudly described the project to his grandsons last summer while visiting the area. In 1969, Jim was sent to Vietnam where he applied his bridge building expertise.
Lynndeen and Jim shared a lifetime of adventures, including raising their two daughters, Anjanette Knapp Steer and Lorena Knapp. Jim was always a firm believer in taking advantage of teachable moments and "girls can do anything," providing an important inspiration in his daughters' upbringing. Summers were spent fishing in the Susitna Valley, where Jim was known as the pilot of "Cessna 24 X-ray." Winters were spent snowmaching (Jim was a 1985 Iron Dog finisher) and ice fishing.
Jim enjoyed working as a project manager for Anchorage engineering firms, where he was always challenged by the efforts of shipping construction materials to rural Alaska.
He enjoyed the many friends he made throughout Alaska while working on a variety of projects.
Upon retirement, Jim enjoyed motorcycle riding, cooking, spending winters in Mexico and traveling with Lynndeen.
Jim was a loving and caring husband, father, brother, uncle, cousin, son and friend. He will be remembered each spring as the salmon return to the Susitna Valley, a place he loved to fish.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Jim's name to your favorite charity.
Jim is survived by his wife of 44 years, Lynndeen Knapp of Big Lake; daughters, Lorena Knapp of Anchorage, Anjanette and Zack Steer of Sheep Mountain; grandsons, Glenn and Clayton; sisters, Kathleen (Rex) McKnight of Reno, Nev., and Lynn (Tom) Thomas of Silver Lake; mother, Alice E. Knapp of Tucson, Ariz.; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Jim's spirit of adventure and zest for life will live on in all of us.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for James Knapp
Brian Pinder
March 29, 2020
Thanks for the memory. Thinking of those good times together and the family who still live with great memories of Jim, Dad, husband. Keep well Lyndeen and family.
Mick Toole
April 30, 2011
Dear Lyndeen, My name is Mick Toole and my brother Gary grew up in Rabbit Creek with Jim ,Lynn and Tom, and little Kathleen. Oh, and don't forget Jigs, their faithful dog. Tom and I were inseparable on those long summer days. I remember Jim working on his 30-06, changing it from military to a moose rifle. He was a good guy then and I'm sure you know him to be a great husband/father. We were gonna look him up when we come up from Ketchikan this summer. I'll have to wait and catch up on the old days in heaven. May God richly bless and comfort you all the days of your life and throughout eternity. Much love to all, Mick and Donna Toole(and Gary)
Laurie and David Reeve
April 28, 2011
Dear Lyndeen,
David and I were alerted through a UAF classmate of Jim's passing. We were so sorry to learn of it and recall seeing him in TOK quite a few years ago when we were passing through. Thinking of you and Jim.
Sherry and Clint Lentfer
April 13, 2011
It was a pleasure getting to know Jim over the years. He truly lived life and did not let it pass by with out catching a ride! We are going to miss him driving up the highway to sheep mountain or showing up at the clinic, deck out in his best cycle gear with a huge grin on his face! We are blessed to have been part of his life.
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Becky and Scott Hauser
April 12, 2011
Scott and I really enjoyed getting to know Jim at family gatherings. This past fall we had the pleasure of working on a moose with Jim all day. We traded stories and critiqued each other's cuts until it was time to move inside for the grinding and wrapping. One of our motivations for going to the Sheep Mountain 150 the night before was always to hang out with the Knapps and catch up with Jim and Lyndeen and hear about their upcoming adventures. The best part about learning of their upcoming adventures was that we would get some glimpse of adventures Jim and Lyndeen had shared in the past. We are thinking of Jim, Lyndeen, and our sisters every day.
Bill Beebe
April 9, 2011
Lyndeen, Peggy and I were saddened by this and wish you and your family well. While we have not kept in touch directly, I have kept up with you all through Rex. I remember well the hunting trip Jim and I took to Afognak, it was one of the best hunting times I had in AK.
Peggy sends her thoughts and prayers to you and the girls.
Bill and Peggy Beebe
Becky Blanchard
April 7, 2011
What I remember about Jim Knapp was that he was always in the stands supporting the Houston Hawks girls basketball team. What a great dad! He wasn't super loud or rowdy, he was always very positive, kind, gentle, and had such a nice smile. I'm sorry for your loss Lyndeen, Anj, and Lorena. Much love to you.
Jim Knapp after a scooter ride in Spain
Lynndeen Knapp
April 7, 2011
Jim would want to thank you for all your kind thoughts and prayers. He would tell you he was enjoying life to the fullest and the last motorcycle ride was incredible.
As they say in New Zealand
"No worries Mate"
Brian Pinder
April 7, 2011
I remember Jim as a quietly spoken man who always cherished "his bride" and girls. We spent 1989 in Alaska with Jim and Lynndeen on a teacher exchange. They came to Kerrily's wedding in Australia. They shared their lives with us from afar. Caring and sharing people who visited us in a time of need. Thinking of you and all your goodness. Fishing, flying, snowmachining, family, gardening. So much lived, shared and to remember. Love from OZ. Brian P (Robyn. Deceased)
Jean Mockler
April 6, 2011
So many memories..UAF, your wedding, the girls as babies, riding out to the lake with Jim in the plane, getting up to go fishing at 4:30 AM. playing games around your table, those tomatoes, and his love for his daughters and grandsons and "my bride" It was you and Jim who introduced us to Ajijic, and the last month has really demonstrated how much he is loved and missed here as well as in Alaska. Nothing will be the same without him. Our love to you all.
Barbara & Patty
April 6, 2011
Lynndeen, Anjanette, Lorena and all of Jim's Family and Loved Ones, You continue to be in our hearts and prayers. Jim's love for you will be ever enduring.
Valerie Jones
April 6, 2011
Jim and I were classmates in Spanish class in Ajijic. We enjoyed some fun times there and I was deeply saddened to learn of his accident while on vacation. I can only imagine that he was doing what he loved and enjoying life to the fullest. I hope the family can find some comfort in the wonderful memories you all share.
It's clear Jim was loved and admired by many.
Valerie
Beth Gamel
April 6, 2011
We will cherish those times we got together with Jim to talk about family, work, Alaska, daughters, and the next Knapp adventure. Jim always had a zest for the outdoors whether it was hiking, biking or growing tomatoes. He wasn't one to sit around and let the world happen. He loved action in his life. He raised his daughters in that spirit and they are living in the direction he admired. He chose the perfect wife for him to partner in all his adventures. We miss him.
James & Barbara Marson
April 6, 2011
Lyndeen & Family,
Our deepest sympathies to you and your family. It was a pleasure working with Jim in our years of construction. The minute he answered the phone, you felt a warmth and connection of Alaskans working with Alaskans.
Gary and Diane Ajijic 2010
Gary and Diane
April 6, 2011
We will always be grateful that we got to know Jim and share so many good times with both of you in Ajijic and AK. We have so many wonderful memories to comfort us and hope that your memories comfort and your family. Jim was such a great, fun guy! We will miss him. Love and support, Diane and Gary
David Geesin
April 6, 2011
Lyndeen,
My sincerest condolences to all of your family for the loss of Jim. He will be deeply missed by many.
Linda MacSwain
April 5, 2011
Lyndeen,
Steve and I are so sorry for your loss. We remember both of you from Harwood Hall. You are in our thoughts at this sad time.
Sincerely,
Steve and Linda MacSwain
202 Harwood Hall
April 5, 2011
Lyndeen, my sincerest sympathy to you and your family. I remember you from the University of Alaska, Fairbanks in the late sixties. I was in ROTC when Jim was. I was in Fairbanks from 1966 to 1971. I know our paths crossed during that time. Many of my friends were engineering majors.
April 5, 2011
Lyndeen, my sincerest sympathy to you and your family. I remember you from the University of Alaska, Fairbanks in the late sixties. I was in ROTC when Jim was. I was in Fairbanks from 1966 to 1971. I know our paths crossed during that time. Many of my friends were engineering majors.
Phil Richardson
April 5, 2011
Lyndeen, my sincerest sympathy to you and your family. I remember you from the University of Alaska, Fairbanks in the late sixties. I was in ROTC when Jim was. I was in Fairbanks from 1966 to 1971. I know our paths crossed during that time. Many of my friends were engineering majors.
Ted Pitt
April 5, 2011
Death, be not proud
Death, be not proud, though some have called thee
Mighty and dreadful, for thou art not so;
For those whom thou think'st thou dost overthrow
Die not, poor Death, nor yet canst thou kill me.
From rest and sleep, which but thy pictures be,
Much pleasure; then from thee much more must flow,
And soonest our best men with thee do go,
Rest of their bones, and soul's delivery.
Thou art slave to fate, chance, kings, and desperate men,
And dost with poison, war, and sickness dwell,
And poppy or charms can make us sleep as well
And better than thy stroke; why swell'st thou then?
One short sleep past, we wake eternally
And death shall be no more; Death, thou shalt die.
By John Donne
The Poetry Foundation
April 5, 2011
Jim will be missed here in the Big Lake Area. I enjoyed working with Jim at Ken Brady Construction. Paul DuClos. Big Lake
Carol Knapp
April 5, 2011
It does my heart good to see his face...what a guy! And one measure of a person is the family that surrounds him. He is off the charts! What a gift you are all to each other...something you'll always have. much love, carol
Terry Knapp
April 5, 2011
Lyndeen,Anjanette,and Lorena,
I have many good memories of Jim, and I will always remember him for his great big HEART! Like you, I'm sad. I'm praying for you to be strong, and for God's comfort for you all.
Love to all of you,
Terry
barbara despain
April 5, 2011
Lyndeen, I was so sorry to hear about Jim and my heart aches for you and your family. You will be in my prayers. Seems like just yesterday that we were riding the bus on Chena Ridge road.
barbara deSpain
BreeAnn Davis (Mielke)
April 5, 2011
My heartfelt sympathy to your entire family.
April 5, 2011
Lyndeen, I am very sorry to read of your husband's death. I am finding old 4-H pins and records as I sort through "stuff" and then there's our 4-H cookbook.
Linda Gritmacker Swarner
Maureen O'Neill
April 4, 2011
Dearest Lynndeen and family,
I am so very, very sorry. You are in my prayers and thoughts.
Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him.
Liisa May
April 4, 2011
Lyndeen, so sad for your loss. He was really something. Inspiring. Liisa May
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