James Randolph Reid Lapp, age 63, passed away on April 8, 2026.

Born at Scott Air Force Base in Illinois, James graduated from Chaparral High School in Las Vegas, Nevada, in 1980. He continued his education at Florida Institute of Technology, earning an associate degree in 1984, and later attended the Defense Language Institute, where he studied Thai and Russian. He went on to earn his Bachelor of Science degree from Excelsior College in 2008. James was fluent in several languages, including Thai, and Russian. He also had a working knowledge in German, and Japanese.

James proudly served his country in the United States Navy from 1985 until his retirement in 2005. During his military career, he served in Desert Storm, Desert Shield, the War in Afghanistan, Operation Enduring Freedom, and the Iraq War (Operation Iraqi Freedom). Following his military service, he worked as an intelligence analyst for multiple government contractors from 2015 to 2018.

He enjoyed boating, fishing, motorcycle riding, scuba diving, stamp collecting, and traveling the world. James was an Evangelical Christian who held a strong belief in faith, family, and freedom.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Patricia Ann Lapp and James Reid Lapp, and two infant brothers.

James is survived by his loving wife, Patricia Grace Lapp; his daughters, Kaelin Alessandra Lapp, Melany Leilani Lapp, Melissa Trinity Lapp, and Morgan Elizabeth Lapp, Brittanny Joanna Gregory; and his sister, Robin Alice Marie Swenson.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at New Beginnings Community Church, with visitation one hour prior to the service. Burial with full military honors will take place at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, April 20, 2026, at the Jacksonville National Cemetery, in Jacksonville, Florida.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the American Cancer Society or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.