James Richard Piper, Jr.

James (Jim) Richard Piper Jr. of Lakeway, Texas, passed away on November 14, 2022 at the age of 79. He was born on July 31, 1943 in Atlanta, Georgia to parents James and Louise (Gilman) Piper.

Jim grew up in Houston, Texas as the oldest of five brothers. Jim excelled in academics and athletics throughout his middle school years at St. Michael Catholic School and his high school years at St. Thomas High School. He was a natural leader, was student body president, and was always at the top of his class.

After graduating from the US Air Force Academy, Jim achieved a Master's Degree from Georgetown University. He then served in the Vietnam War, and next at the Pentagon before resigning from military service as a decorated captain. Jim transitioned into the corporate world and spent the bulk of his career running a thriving options trading and training business in Chicago called O'Connell and Piper. He was infamous as the 'Mayor of Rush Street,' coined by the many clients he entertained on Chicago's North Side.

Throughout his life, Jim was an aspiring writer and penned many historical fiction novels. He fondly named the characters in these novels after his many, many life-long friends from St. Michael and St. Thomas schools, from the US Air Force Academy, and from Kenilworth, Illinois, where he and Sharon raised their family.

Family and friends will remember Jim for his love of singing and playing the guitar, watching the Cubs, doing his weekly college football 'picks' with his brothers and friends, playing Texas Hold 'Em, collecting the yearbooks of historical US figures such as President Eisenhower and General Patton, and building model airplanes. We will also remember his absolute devotion to God, his love of studying physics, his voracious appetite for reading, and most of all for the inspirational life he led and all the love he shared with us.

Jim is survived by his beloved wife of 44 years, Sharon; by his children: Amy (Lenny) Munson, Stephanie (Bart) Steenbergen, Jamie (Rich) England, Michael (Becky) Piper; by his beloved grandchildren: Dillon, Taylor, and Cole Munson, Logan and Ben Steenbergen, Mason and Richard England, and Maverick, Boomer, Dash and Dolly Piper; by his brothers and sisters-in-law: Joe (JoAnn) Piper, Jay (Lana) Piper, Jeff (Linda) Piper, and Linda Piper; and by his nieces and nephews: Travis (Jenny) Piper, Brandi (Mark) Smith, Andrea (John) Anderle, Bobby (Francesca) Piper, Alison (Todd) Standlee, Linley (Collin) Dieringer, Erika (Gary) and Jake Eskin, and Adam and Ben Eskin.

Jim was predeceased by his dearly loved younger brother, Jack, just 6 months ago.

A memorial service for Jim will be held at St. Michael Catholic Church in Houston, Texas on Friday, December 9, 2022 at 10:00 am. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Air Force Aid Society: https://afas.org