James Robert Thorpe Sr.

April 27, 1940 - August 3, 2020

James Robert Thorpe, Sr. passed away on Monday, August 3, 2020 surrounded by family at his home in Madisonville, LA. He was born on April 27, 1940 in Des Moines, IA to the late William Russell Thorpe and Helen Marie Milosevic Thorpe. Jim was raised by his mother and caring step-father, the late Bernie Mularz. Jim was the beloved husband of Hazel Aleela Elliott Thorpe for 60 years. He was the loving father of Jim R. Thorpe, Jr. (Ann Marie) and Theresa T. Johnson (David Ralph). James was the proud grandfather of Nicole T. Lyons (Chris), Heidi Thorpe (Nick Rachuna), Tyler Thorpe (Emily), Blake Cotton, Reece Cotton, and Jesse Thorpe, Aleela Baune (Keith), Amanda BenAri (Daniel), Anna Hofbauer (Aaron), Emma Buresh, Sara Buresh, Casey Barker (Sean), and Maddie Johnson; great-grandfather of 14 great-grandchildren. He was the brother of Toni Elliott (Kenneth Elliott, II). Jim was an inventor, engineer, teacher, and mentor. He was a technician for NCR and later an engineer with IBM retiring after 25 years. He was well known as a kind and generous teacher and mentor. His retirement was no less busy. Jim filled his time hunting and enjoying the outdoors, spending time with his wife and family, and constructing zip lines and leading adventures for the joys of his life, his grandchildren. Jim will be dearly missed by those that knew and loved him. Relatives and friends are invited to the Funeral Mass at E.J. Fielding Funeral Home, 2260 W. 21st Avenue, Covington, LA 70433 on Thursday, August 6, 2020 at 11:00 AM with visitation from 9:30 AM until Mass time. Please Share a Memory on the Tribute Wall at www.ejfieldingfh.com.