James LeRoy Turpin

James LeRoy Turpin

August 1, 1940 ~ March 13, 2022

James LeRoy Turpin, 81, passed away peacefully with his best friends by his side Sunday afternoon, March 13, 2022, in Ogden, Utah. He was born at Dee Hospital in Ogden, Utah, on August 1, 1940, the son of Lawrence LeRoy Turpin and Catherine Isabelle Tischer, who preceded him in death along with his oldest brother Ronald Turpin. Jim cherished his time with his former spouse Margo Chambers (John Law) and daughter Jennifer. He is survived by his sister Kathleen (Richard) Baggs of Helper, UT, and younger brother David (Margaret) Turpin of Las Vegas, NV. 

Jim graduated from Ogden High School in 1958, went to Weber State, and received a BS in Applied Statistics and Computer Science from Utah State University. Jim served in the US Army and National Guard-Specialist E4. He had a 25-year career with the US Forest Service and retired as Director of Information Systems Region R4.

He was known by many names: Jim, James, Uncle Jimmy, Turp, and “Old Gym”.
Jim spent the majority of his life in high adventure pursuits; whether it was scuba diving vacations with his brother David, hitting balls at the golf course or skiing the slopes of Snowbasin Resort with his buddies; Jim was always up for challenging outdoor FUN! Jim was on the National Ski Patrol. He held a private pilot’s license and loved to take friends and family on excursions and to watch the Ogden 4th of July fireworks from the air.

Jim also liked to take care of his mind and body. He meditated often and was a third-degree black belt in Hapkido martial art which he also loved to teach along with self-defense classes. He enjoyed playing weekly volleyball where he made lifelong friendships. Jim also loved parties! He loved to attend his niece’s many St. Patrick’s Day and Halloween parties over the years–often dressing up as a monk or karate teacher. Each summer he loved to celebrate his birthday sipping on a Heineken with close friends at Snowbasin’s Blues, Brews and BBQ where he truly felt at home. He loved to dance, and chat about everything from politics to constitutional law. Jim took many self-improvement classes and was always up to learning something new.   
   

Jim was a beacon of light and an openminded soul who loved to converse with and meet new people. He leaves a space no one can replace in this world. He was able to share some special moments with friends and loved ones in the end. Jim left some beautiful words in a video just days before he passed, “I am taking a part of your heart with me and I will miss you! You can have it back when I see you again.”

A Celebration of Life is planned in Jim’s honor for Saturday, May 28, 2022, in North Salt Lake, Utah (Memorial Day weekend). If you would like to attend, please email: james.turpin.celebration@gmail.com   Arrangements entrusted to Lindquist’s Ogden Mortuary.