James O. Tappan

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July 8, 2009

Feb. 22, 1932 - July 6, 2009

James O. Tappan, 77, Kokomo, passed away on Monday, July 6, 2009, at St. Joseph Hospital. He was born Feb. 22, 1932, in Orestes, to Willis and Lillian (Carver) Tappan. On June 27, 1953, he married Myrna Tappan, and she survives.

He graduated from Alexandria High School and went on to receive his bachelor’s degree from Ball State University and his master’s degree from Ohio State. He taught chemistry in 1954 in Cincinnati, Ohio, before entering the U.S. Army in 1955. He served as a medic overseas, including time in Germany, and was honorably discharged in 1957. He resumed his teaching career then at Kokomo High School as a math and chemistry teacher. He became science department head while teaching physics at Haworth High School in 1969. He also taught evening classes for adult vocational education and was well known for his entertaining lectures and captivating demonstrations. He retired from teaching in 1994. He was recognized by the Indianapolis Star in 1995 in the Indiana Academic Competition for Excellence and also by Delco Electronics for leadership and dedication in the TechnoKats competition in 1992. He owned Tappan and Sons Painting business. He loved gardening and was a founding member of the Garden Wall garden club. He enjoyed watching I.U. basketball and the Indianapolis Colts. He attended Grace United Methodist Church.

In addition to his wife of 56 years, he is survived by daughter, Pam and husband Tom Prather, Kokomo, and their children, Blake Prather, Indianapolis, and Christie and husband Gene Geisz, Noblesville; daughter, Jennifer Tappan, Kokomo; son, Paul and wife Debbie Tappan, Knoxville, Tenn.; son, Ron and wife Goldie Tappan, Pleasanton, Texas, and their daughters, Alison Tappan, Lubbock, Texas, and Phoebe Tappan, Pleasanton, Texas; brother, Richard and wife Margaret Tappan, Brunswick, Maine; sister, Mary and husband Harold Smith, Cicero; loving pets, Jesse and Leo; and many friends, acquaintances, and former students.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Donald Tappan.

A memorial service will be held at a later date. Sunset Memory Garden Funeral Home, Kokomo, is handling the arrangements.

Online condolences can be made at www.mem.com.

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