James Ronald 'Jim' LaPan, 60

James Ronald “Jim” LaPan, 60, unexpectedly “went home to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ,” Sunday, March 20, 2011.

Jim was born Sept. 10, 1950, in Burlington, Vt., to Ronald and Lorraine (Lombard) LaPan, the oldest of five sons and one daughter.

 At the age of 10, his family moved to Melbourne, Fla., where he graduated from Eau Gallie High School in 1968 and immediately joined the U.S. Air Force. He attended night classes while serving 10 years enlisted and earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Troy State University. He was accepted into Officer Training School and served another 15 years as an officer, retiring at the rank of major in 1993. He proudly served in Incirlik, Turkey, three tours in Germany, Osan, Korea and at numerous bases throughout the states, finishing his service as the Air Force advisor to the Air National Guard, Jefferson Barracks, St. Louis, Mo.

He met and married Sallie Marie Westbrook June 30, 1979, in Marianna, Fla., while stationed at Eglin Air Force Base in Panama City, Fla.

Jim worked at a variety of occupations using his organizational skills and can-do attitude. Upon his military retirement, he trained and was employed as a quality management systems auditor, production manager, and project manager. Moving to Montana in 2000, Jim began Quality Assured Home Inspections, and later SWL Enterprises, to include inspections and property management.

And he will always be remembered by countless people, young and old, as the Mugs and Sinkers “Donut Man,” serving his mini-donuts at numerous art fairs and local events throughout the Flathead Valley. Making donuts was his way of joining in and giving back to this community in a fun way, making certain that the fire/police departments and local ER were never forgotten.

Jim's third younger brother, Gary LaPan, preceded him in death; as well as his youngest daughter, Hannah Ruth; and first wife, Sharon Statler.

He is survived by his wife of 32 years, Sallie Marie, of Whitefish; his son, James LaPan Jr., and wife, Sareena, of Phoenix; a daughter, Laura, and husband, Justin White, grandsons Austin Yeager and Robert Liam, and granddaughter Adelynn Elyse all of Kalispell; his mother, Lorraine, and husband, Beau Pope, of Satellite Beach, Fla.; his father, Ronald LaPan, and wife, Irene, of Titusville, Fla.; his brothers, Mike LaPan and wife Pam of Lakeland, Fla., Donnie LaPan and wife Vanessa of Palm Bay, Fla., and Joe LaPan and wife Jo Ann of Melbourne, Fla.; and his sister, Patti, and husband, Lee Cheary, of West Melbourne, Fla. He is also survived by two precious daughters from his previous marriage to Sharon Statler, Kimberly Ann and husband Owen Fullerton of Florida, and grandsons, Blake Dewey and Cameron Taylor, and Kerry Ann and husband Billy Bartlett and grandsons Devon and Dylan, of Mooreville, Miss.; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. He loved you all!

Visitation will be held from 3 to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, March 23, at Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home. Funeral services for Jim LaPan will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, March 24, at Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home with Jim Holman officiating. Burial will then be at C.E. Conrad Memorial Cemetery, followed by a reception for family and friends at Bethel Chapel, Swan Community Center.

The family suggests in lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Global Consulting Group, P.O. Box 7254, Waco, TX 76714, “for Bud and Laura Lenz, Peru and Beyond.”

Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home is caring for Jim's family. You are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to offer condolences and view Jim's tribute wall.