Ralph E. "Jack" Lapan

Ralph E. “Jack” LaPan went home to be with the Lord August 25th, 2013. He was born January 9th, 1936 in Calais, Vermont, the 4th of 13 children to Nelson & Marian (Shatney) LaPan.

With such a large family money was scarce and Jack had to quit grade school to help support the family. As an adult he went back to school and earned his grade school diploma.

At a young age he was hired by Dubois Construction where he excelled at his job. It was not uncommon for people to wait a year or more to have him work on their projects. His reputation of perfection and hard work were well-known. He was definitely a self-made man.

On July 25th, 1959 in Montpelier, Vermont he married Barbara Mugford. They later divorced but remained on friendly terms. They had four children together, all of whom inherited their father’s strong work ethic and intense loyalty and love of family. Although not a large man he was very strong. He would do one-arm push-ups with all four children on his back and could easily do one-arm pull-ups.

In June of 1971 the family moved to Oregon where Jack worked as a carpenter. He built the family home which still stands in Applegate. He later returned to work as a heavy equipment operator for Harold Compton, John R. Wood and George Harshman.

In January of 1991 he married Joyce Craig who survives.

Jack was a long-time member of the NRA and a lifetime member of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. He volunteered with Child Evangelism Foundation and was an avid supporter of the military. He enjoyed hunting, being outdoors, baseball and working on clocks and watches. He had strong political views, and a great sense of humor. He returned often to Vermont to visit friends and family and enjoy a maple creamie or two.

Jack is survived by his wife Joyce of Grants Pass, Oregon; daughters Kim (David) Dahlquist of Wilsonville, Oregon, Theresa (Charles) Meyer of Murphy, Oregon, Lorraine (Steve) Clearman of Grants Pass, Oregon; a son, Mike LaPan of Applegate, Oregon; a step-daughter Julie (Roy) Lombardo of Central Point, Oregon; six grandchildren, Tim LaPan, Brittany Meyer, Chelsea LaPan, Michael Robbins, Morgan Dahlquist, and Shelbie LaPan; two great-grandchildren; three sisters, Dale Nutting, Rose Comyns and Claire “Chickie” Pike all of Vermont; and two brothers, Stanley LaPan of California and Phillip LaPan of Washington. He was preceded in death by his parents, six brothers, a sister, and a step-daughter.

Visitation will be held from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., Friday, August 30, 2013 at Hull & Hull Funeral Directors.

A graveside service will be at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, August 31, 2013 at Hillcrest Memorial Park in Grants Pass.