James William Pyper

James William Pyper Eternal Sweethearts Our beloved Clan Pyper patriarch continued his eternal journey on 16 December 2008, after a 20-year, faith-filled cancer illness.Born 5 September 1934 to William Jones and Wilma Bjelke Pyper in Wells, Nevada, Jim was raised there as an only child of loving parents. Upon graduation from Wells High School, he attended BYU for a year before serving in Eastern States Mission 1954-1956. He returned to BYU and married his sweetheart, Diane Henry, in the Salt Lake Temple on 30 August 1957. After graduating from BYU in 1960 with BS and MS degrees, they traveled to Cornell University in Ithaca, New York to obtain his PhD in physical chemistry. Two young sons, Scott (Vicky) and Mark (Hillary), accompanied them, and a third son, Greg (Jenny), and a sister Heather, were born in Ithaca. Melanie was born in California where the family moved when Jim accepted employment in 1963 at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, University of California, under the Atomic Energy Commission. Heather and Melanie died at birth, and then Tara (Morgan), Wendy, Tanya (Mike), David (Ingrid), Tammy (Stephen), and Michael (Denise) completed the family. Our Clan Pyper has grown to 45 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren, all of whom dearly love Jim, and whom he loves deeply in return. He is so so proud of his posterity! When Jim retired in 1990 after 28 years, he and Diane began serving missions for the LDS Church. He had served as a bishop twice and on high councils for 14 years, but now re-discovered the joys of bringing the gospel of Jesus Christ to both the living and the dead in the Greece Athens Mission, England Birmingham and Scotland Edinburgh Mission, Illinois Nauvoo Mission, Washington D.C. Temple Mission, and Family History Church Service Mission. Always a faithful home teacher and temple ordinance worker, he strived to be true to all his covenants and follow the living prophet. He was ever mindful of Joseph Smith's role in restoring priesthood power: this power was omnipresent with Jim as he lived to bless the lives of others and be blessed in his life repeatedly. Towards the end of his life he was "held together with priesthood baling wire." Our kind, honorable, gentle giant fought the good fight-his battle is won! Jim and Diane traveled much in their 51 years together, visiting over 30 nations. The last three trips in Europe and UK found them accompanied by as many as 11 children and spouses each trip. These trips were family history centered and brought joy, bonding, and eternal memories for all. What a sweet journey he and Diane have shared! He continually felt the urge to write of his roots, printing three books of Pyper ancestry, and was in the middle of writing his forth book. He also enjoyed dear forever friends, swimming, tennis "with his boys", train set-ups, Carmel coastlines, BYU sports, French cuisine, historical movies, piano, classical music, reunions, and, above all, the scriptures and doctrines in which he was well-versed. He loves his Savior Jesus Christ, and faithfully, humbly, obediently and prayerfully emulated Him. He's our exemplary hero! We love him dearly and anticipate our joyous reunion. Services will be held Saturday, 20 December 2008 at 11:00 a.m. at Lehi 23rd Ward, 3200 N. 650 E., Lehi. Viewing's Friday 6-8 p.m. at the church and Saturday 9:30-10:30 a.m. Funeral Directors - Warenski's In remembrance, donations may be made to the missionary fund or PEF.