James Elwood Harper III

May 19, 1961 – May 26, 2024

James Elwood Harper, III, 63, passed away on Sunday, May 26, 2024, at his home in Queen Creek, Arizona.

Jim was born on May 19, 1961, at Chilton Memorial Hospital in Pompton Plains, NJ, to James Elwood Harper, Jr. and Suzanne Chilton Hellyer. Jim married the love of his life, Nancy, on September 10, 1988, in Lincoln Park, NJ. Soon after, they moved to New York and then to Florida. In 2013, they relocated to Arizona where they built their forever home. Jim made an impact on others and made lifelong friends every step of the way.

There was nothing that meant more to Jim than family. Jim constantly boasted about his wife Nancy’s passion for cooking, baking and thrifting. Jim always bragged about the rare items Nancy found and would often join her on trips and be excited about the things he himself would find. It was something they loved to do together. He also loved having that next trip planned and always looked forward to traveling with his wife to snowmobile or fish. We won’t talk about that time he rolled the snowmobile with Nancy in tow… His children were the light of his life and the two grandchildren they brought into his world were his pride and joy. If there was a day that pictures of his grandsons weren’t shared in the family chat, there was sure to be a text sent saying “what are my grandsons doing today?” or “what are my grandsons having for dinner?”. Jim reminded his children often that they were loved, that he was proud of them, and that they were wonderful children and parents.

Jim’s mother, step father and many brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews live across the country in New Jersey, but Jim was always involved in their lives from afar. From watching any sports game being broadcasted on YouTube, to staying up late voting for the top athlete, he was always committed to cheering on those he loved. He was so proud of his family.

If you had the pleasure of knowing Jim, you knew how much you were loved. Jim had a heart of gold and always put others first. He made an impact on countless lives, through his leadership at State Farm and through his love of giving back to his community. Anyone who worked alongside Jim will share how big of a heart he had and how passionate he was for helping others. Jim loved his work family and the forever friends he made throughout his career. We know Jim would want us all to carry on his legacy in this way by treating everyone with kindness and love.

Jim is lovingly survived by his wife, Nancy; his son James Elwood Harper, IV and his wife Ashley; his daughter Victoria Megronigle and her husband Andrew; his two grandsons James Elwood, V and Nolan; his mother Suzanne Chilton Hellyer and her husband Kenneth Hellyer, his six siblings Cynthia Bianco and her husband Victor, Kim Harper, Forrest Harper and his wife Joyce, Christopher Harper and his wife Donna, Donald Harper and his wife Michelle and Rebecca Kelly and her husband Todd; his many nieces and nephews and their families. He was predeceased by his father, James Elwood, Jr.

A funeral will be held on Tuesday, June 4, 2024, at 9:00am at San Tan Mountain View Funeral Home, 21809 S. Ellsworth Rd., Queen Creek, Arizona, 85142.  A memorial service, followed by an internment of ashes, will be held on June 15th, 2024, at 11:00am at The First Reformed Church of Pompton Plains, NJ.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the American Lung Association Donate – American Lung Association would be greatly appreciated by the Harper family.