James Roy Leeper was born on August 25, 1944 in Harper, Kansas to Roscoe Charles and Lorene Peg (Wallace) Leeper.  The family made their home on a farmstead north of Harper.  Jim went to a one room schoolhouse, Silvercreek, near the family home.  He then attended Harper High School through his sophomore year.  From there he went to a trade school in Kansas City and worked on an automotive assembly line.  Returning home, he helped his father on the farm.

September 23, 1965, Jim was drafted into the United States Army and served his country in the Vietnam War.  He was awarded the Overseas Bar, Vietnam Service Medal with Bronze Star, Expert Rifle Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal with 60 Device, and National Defense Service Medal.  Jim was transferred to the Army Reserve on September 22, 1967 with the rank of Corporal.

Back in the Harper area, Jim followed in his father's footsteps and was a farmer.  He made his home on his farm northwest of Harper.  Jim loved to shoot guns, make knives, and aggravate people.  Later in life, he moved to a place northeast of Danville, Kansas.

Jim was united in marriage to Kathleen Sue (Gleeson) Gray in 2003 at the Chikaskia Baptist Church northeast of Harper.  After living in Danville for a short time, the couple first moved to Argonia, Kansas and then to Murdock, Kansas.  Jim became a resident of Medicalodges of Goddard, Kansas in 2015.

After a long battle with his failing health, Jim passed away in the nursing home on July 14, 2022 at the age of 77.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Roscoe and Peg Leeper; brother, Charles Leeper; and stepson; Darrell Russell.  He is survived by his stepson, Ron Miller (Samantha Bell) of Cheney, Kansas and brother, Phillip Leeper of Phoenix, Arizona.

Graveside Service is 10:00 a.m. Monday, July 18, 2022 at the Duquoin Cemetery with Chaplain David Benavides officiating.  Military Honors will be provided by the Army Honor Guard.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Wounded Warriors and can be sent in care of Prairie Rose Funeral Homes, 613 W 14 ^th St ~ Harper, Kansas 67058.