James Harper

James Steven Harper, (Steve) was born on January 12, 1952, in Newellton, La., and passed away on Sept. 5, 2021, in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. Steve was the third child of Farrar and Carrie Mae Harper. They lived in a little town in northeastern Louisiana on the banks of the Mississippi River called Waterproof. The town flooded 3 times and they still call it Waterproof!

Steve attended school in Waterproof where he started to develop his rich sense of humor and outgoing personality. He played football during high school and was captain of the team, was class president and was voted "Most Handsome.” He would always say, "Remember, it was a very small town!"

After graduation, he attended Louisiana Tech University in Ruston and graduated with a bachelor's degree in business administration. After graduation, he was anxious to see the world. He was offered two different jobs, one in northern Alaska and the other in Wyoming. He decided on Wyoming and moved to Casper in September of 1976.

In March of 1981, he met the love of his life, Martha Demmon. They were engaged by September and married in June of 1982. Their only child, Travis was born in February of 1984.

They lived and worked in Casper until the oil industry crash in 1986, when they moved to Idaho. Steve fell in love with Idaho – not too hot, not too cold – hunting, fishing, four seasons and beautiful scenery. What's not to love? Many hours were spent camping and ATV riding in the northwest wilderness, and he taught both himself and his son how to fly fish.

Steve really enjoyed entertaining people. He was a very good vocalist who taught himself to play the guitar to accompany his singing, even writing melody and lyrics to several original songs. He was also a good public speaker. He did everything from officiating a best friend's wedding, to delivering his father-in-law's eulogy. He also spent a few years involved with Lake City Playhouse and appeared in several playhouse productions, and also appeared in several local television commercials.

Steve discovered his real passions a little later in life than most, so he felt he had to make up for lost time. He realized "he was put on this Earth to make people laugh," and he strived to do that every day. Whether the checker at the grocery store having a bad day or friends dealing with various personal issues, he could always help them find the humor in the situation.

He had always had an affinity for woodworking, just a few years ago, however, he found his passion. It was not unusual for Steve to be in his workshop in the middle of the night. He began creating unique wooden artistic plaques, walking sticks and baseball bats, and then he created a market for them. His unique pieces were very popular.

Steve was preceded in death by both parents, Farrar Harper in Waterproof, La., and Carrie Mae Miller in Eddyville, Ky., and by his sister, Retta Stockwell in Memphis, Tenn. He is survived by his wife, Martha in Rathdrum, Idaho, his son, Travis Harper and wife Julie, and their two children, Lilly and Cole in Hayden, Idaho, his brothers Michael Harper and wife Nancy in Shreveport, La., and David Harper and wife Anita in Robeline, La.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 2, at Real Life Ministries Auditorium building on Cecil Road in Post Falls, Idaho.

"It's not the years in your life that count, it's the life in your years.” – Abraham Lincoln