James E. Klapps

James E. Klapps, 81, a native of Sugar Notch, died Friday, Aug. 14, 2009, at Caring Bridges Assisted Living, Fairbanks, Alaska.

Born April 25, 1928, in Sugar Notch, he was a son of the late Louis and Catherine Sordoni Klapps.

Jimmy attended St. Charles School and graduated from St. Mary's High School.

Jimmy enlisted in the Navy in June 1946 and completed his basic training at NTC, Bainbridge, Md. He was a GM3 and served aboard the destroyers USS Power and USS MacKenzie. He was awarded medals for China Service, Japanese Occupation, Korean Ribbon and UN Medal, and was honorably discharged from the Navy in 1952.

Following his military service, Jimmy went to work as a lumberjack in Westfir, Ore. After a few years, he attended welding school in San Francisco and left for Alaska to apply his trade on the Alaska Pipeline where he remained until he was unable to work due to declining health.

Sisters, Rachel Woody, Mildred Merva, Rose Kenderski and Mary Ribeiro; and brothers, Joseph, Dominic and John Klapps, preceded him in death.

Surviving are brothers, P. Patrick Klapps of Silver Spring, Md.; the Rev. William Klapps of Bear, Del.; and Jerome A. Klapps of Bear, Del.; and several nieces and nephews.

Family and friends are invited to share in the celebration of Jimmy's Funeral Mass on Saturday at noon in the Chapel at St. Mary's Cemetery, Hanover Township. Interment will follow.

Memorial donations are preferred and may be sent to St. Raphael Parish, P.O. Box 10508, Fairbanks, AK, 99710. Arrangements by McLaughlin Family Funeral Service.