Obituary of John Lapham

Lapham, Maj. John S. USAF (Ret) Age 88 of Lakeville, formerly Champlin and Brooklyn Park on Aug. 22, 2017. Preceded in death by parents William and Louise, brothers Paul and William 'Bill', son Brian and wife of 49 years Jacqueline 'Tyke' nee Parsons. Survived by brother Jerry (Bonnie), in-laws Don, Dotty and Rick Parsons, sons John 'Greg' (Pam) and Mark (Mindy), grandchildren Andrew, Allison (Colin) Corrado, Charles, Paul, Maura, Chelsea, Sarah, Jay and John and great-granddaughter Sydney. John was born on August 1, 1929 in Minneapolis, grew up on a family farm and graduated from Anoka HS in 1947. After high school John moved to the Olympic peninsula in Washington and worked the summer and fall as a gandy-dancer and choke setter for Rayonier Lumber Co. and as a switchboard installer for Western Electric. In late 1947, as the draft approached, he decided to enlist in the Army and worked in teletype and cryptographic repair. During this time he applied for the US Military Academy Prep school at West Point, was accepted and graduated USMA West Point class of 1955. He was commissioned into the Air Force and become a pilot flying many fixed and rotary winged aircraft. Most of his career he flew Kaman HH-43 Huskie rescue and firefighting helicopters while being stationed throughout the US and England. Prior to leaving the Air Force John took courses in computer programing and in 1974 began his second career as a computer programmer/analyst for General Mills before finally retiring in 1996. John enjoyed fishing, hunting, dancing and music of all kinds as well as traveling to see the many friends he made while serving in the Air Force. He will be missed by all who knew him. A special thanks to the nurses and staff at Highview Hills in Lakeville who cared for John the last 4 years, as well as the health care team at Allina Health and Allina Hospice. A private family interment will be at held Fort Snelling.