James Stephen Lapadat

James S. Lapadat Jim was born in St. Paul, MN on April 28, 1965, the third of eventually five children. He graduated from Mounds View High School in 1983 and attended the University of Minnesota where he studied psychology. At the University of Minnesota, he became a member of Sigma Nu fraternity. Throughout his life, Jim worked hard and had an incredible talent for easily making friends. He worked in the restaurant industry through college and afterward, and was later successful in the world of sales, especially in the auto industry. Jim had a reputation for integrity, honesty, a great sense of humor and a gift for turning co-workers and bosses into friends. Car salesmen often bounce around between dealerships throughout their careers. Jim's most fortunate stop proved to be in White Bear Lake in 2006 where he met the girl that, as one friend said, "made his eyes light up" when he was with her. He had found his greatest love and his life partner Nancy, and they became husband and wife on August 20, 2011. They shared a wonderful life together with their three "rescue cats." Jim loved baseball and other sports, traveling with his wife-especially to Chicago or anywhere warm-and cherished his family, friends, and Sundays, because that meant a full day with his wife, which they both treasured. It never even mattered what they did, because the most important thing was being together. Jim died on Monday, Jan. 27, 2020, due to sudden, multiple organ failure brought on by the flu. If love could have saved him, he would still be here today. Jim was preceded in death by his parents Judy and Stephen, and his brother Joseph. He is survived by his loving wife Nancy, brother Bill (Mary Jo) of Shawnee, KS, sister Sally Paulsen of Arden Hills, and brother Tom (Heather) of Sahuarita, AZ, father & mother-in-law Jon & Rita Gebert, sister-in-law Karen (Tony) Hawkinson, as well as two nieces and four nephews. We are all richer for knowing Jim, and we are all poorer because of his early departure. Jim was truly "one of the good guys," and there are huge holes in many hearts today. There will be a visitation from 4:00 to 8:00 PM Friday, February 7. A Memorial Service & Celebration of life will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, February 8 (with a visitation offered 1-hour prior) at Holcomb-Henry-Boom-Purcell funeral home, 515 Hwy 96 West, Shoreview. The family would like to especially thank the staff at the Pillars Hospice Home in Oakdale as well as all his family, friends and his Sigma Nu brothers who stopped by to visit, sent uplifting messages, and offered prayers. The last week of his life was a precious gift. Flowers not necessary, please send a random bouquet to someone you love this next year in his honor, in the same way that Jim constantly surprised and spoiled his wife with his thoughtfulness. Memorials to any charity you support, the American Cancer Society or Feline Rescue of St Paul.

Tributes

James Stephen Lapadat

April 28, 1965 - January 27, 2020

Tributes

James Stephen Lapadat

April 28, 1965 - January 27, 2020

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