On Saturday, October 16, 2010, James Edward Knapper, Sr., affectionately referred to as "Jimmy" surrendered his soul after Sixty-three years of life.


"Jimmy" was born in Muskogee, Oklahoma on November 13, 1946 from the union of Metherine Spencer and O'Dell Knapper. He was one of six children. Jimmy was raised in Muskogee and attended Muskogee Public Schools, where he graduated from Historic Manual Training High School with the proud Class of 1965. At Manual, Jimmy was a member of the Bulldog Marching Band, where he was the lead drummer.


Following graduation, James married Ella Louise Shephard and their union produced one son, James Knapper, Jr.


In 1966, he enlisted in the United States Army, where he served his country honorably, earning a purple heart for his courage and honor. He served as a switchboard operator and as a paratrooper. After his honorable discharge, in 1969, he moved to Los Angeles, California, where he was known for his drum playing in clubs and bands.


Jimmy returned to Oklahoma in 1975, settling in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where he met and married Francine Nadine Johnson. Their union produced a son, Mahcoe James Knapper.


Mr. Knapper was a person who truly enjoyed life and lived it to the fullest. He was preceded in death by his step-father, Robert M. Smith, his mother, Metherine Smith, a sister, Margaret Richardson and a brother, Otis Leroy Knapper.


He leaves to lament his passing; his wife of 35 years, Francine N. Knapper; two sons, James Knapper, Jr. , and Mahcoe Knapper, both of Tulsa, Oklahoma; a step-son, Julius Knapper, all of Fort Worth, Texas; a daughter, Tonya Petitt; a step-daughter, Vernetter C. Knapper, Denison, Texas; two brothers, Odell Knapper, Jr., Muskogee, Oklahoma, and Bobby Lee Smith, Richmond, Virginia: a sister, Parthenia [Smith] Foster, Goochland, Virginia; three grandchildren, Lil Mahcoe, Tyren and Mya, all of Tulsa, Oklahoma; one great-grandson; three uncles, Cephus Spencer, San Antonio, Texas, Otis Spencer and Leon Spencer, Minneapolis, Minnesota; along with a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends, as well as a very best friend, Robert "AKA Mickey" Johnson.


The farewell will be held on Saturday, October 23, 2010 at 3:00 P.M. in the Praise Center Family Church. Pastor Stephen Wiley, will officiate.

Burial will be on Monday in the National Cemetery at Fort Gibson, Oklahoma.

You may visit Mr. Knapper on Friday from 1 PM to 6 PM at the funeral home in Muskogee.