James Roy Knapp, (affectingly known as Jim, Jimmy, JR), 81, of Hermitage, Mo. died Friday, February 11, 2011 at his home in Hermitage. He went home to be with our Lord and now rests peacefully and eternally in His presence and love.

Funeral services will be 11:00am Monday, February 14, 2011 at the Atkinson Funeral Home in Harrisonville, Missouri. Burial in Crescent Hill Cemetery, Adrian, Missouri. The family will receive friends 4:00-6:00pm Sunday, February 14, at the Atkinson Funeral Home in Harrisonville.Contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society.

James beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather will be remembered by all for his quick wit and humor. He was a jokester, a kind and fun loving man who was the head of a large, close and loving family. His family was everything to him.

Jim was born in Kansas City Mo. On August 23, 1929, the son of Edna Faye Ankeny Knapp and Calvin Roy Knapp. Jim spent much of his young life growing up on a farm near Archie, Mo. with his grandparents whom he called Mom and Pop. He attended school in the Kansas City, Mo. Area. He attended Sunday school and church with his grandparents. In his later years he professed his love of the Lord and was saved. He worked various jobs throughout his adult life including working on the family dairy, truck driver, carpenter and bridge builder. At the age of 20 he was united in marriage to Peggy Lou Crozier, his wife of 61 years. This marriage was blessed with 7 children, 17 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, a son Clarence Raymond Knapp, a grandson Larry James Crowder, a sister Mary Lou Foust and one brother Robert L. Knapp. He is survived by wife, Peggy of the home, a brother Larry and wife Joann Knapp of Mayview, Missouri, a dear brother-in-law and lifelong friend, Ron Foust of Rhinelander, Wisconsin and one Aunt Beverly Jones of Peculiar, Missouri. Jim is also survived by his children Jimmie Knapp and wife Teresa of Hinckley, Utah, Deborah Miller and husband Bob of Collins, Mo., Susan Dobbs of Wheatland, Mo., Rebecca Bishop and husband Quinten of Tunas, Mo, Penny Whitaker of Weaubleau, Mo., and William Knapp and fiancé Jennifer Jones of Warrensburg, Mo. His grandchildren, great-grandchildren, several cousins and a host of nieces, nephews and friends who will miss him dearly.