James Wesley Harpst, 100, of Huntsville, passed away Saturday, May 2, 2026, at home surrounded by his children and grandchildren. Jim was born on January 10, 1926 in Springfield, OH to John Harold and Virginia Dare Christina (Sharp) Harpst. He graduated from Bokescreek Township school in West Mansfield. Jim often spent childhood summers with family in Findlay.

During his career Jim worked at Westinghouse, managed a dance hall at the Indian Lake amusement park, as a Logan County deputy sheriff, and retired from Super Foods. While working at Westinghouse, Jim first laid eyes on Virginia Lucille Thompson and was so enamored that he tripped over a basket of parts and fell to the floor, head over heels in love. Jim and Virginia married on September 1, 1956, in Richmond, IN. Their marital bliss lasted 67 strong years until Virginia’s passing.

Jim had a deep love of sports and had expressed that he had wanted to go to college to become a coach. While that dream didn’t come to fruition, he did spend many years coaching Huntsville baseball and he never had a losing record. Anyone who knew Jim knew how he loved the Pittsburgh Steelers, and if you didn’t know him you still knew it because he almost always had on a Steelers hat, coat, or even shoes. He also enjoyed rooting for the New York Yankees, Gonzaga and Ohio State basketball, as well as watching NASCAR and drag racing. Jim was an avid reader of westerns and thrillers and always brought one when he drove Virginia around shopping so he could sit in the car and read while she shopped. Jim could be a bit of a curmudgeon and around Christmastime Virginia would often call him Scrooge. But beneath his sometimes prickly exterior, Jim was ornery and loved having friendships with the people he interacted with – the people at the post office, the doctor’s office, his favorite car salesman Dick Hirsch, and at the end of his life his nurse Kerry Bowersox. Jim and Virginia lived in the same house in Huntsville for over 50 years and until the last few years there was a good chance you would see Jim out push mowing his grass, getting all the snow shoveled before anyone could drive on it, or just sitting out watching traffic. Jim retained his sharp memory his whole life and was just as apt to tell you a story from his childhood as to ask you about a small part of your life that you might have forgotten about yourself.

Jim is survived by his children: Kim (Mark) Hemmer of Huntsville, Jim (Barb) Harpst of Belle Center, Jeff (Julie) Harpst of Quincy, Jon (Jane Kniska) Harpst of Huntsville, and Amy (Charlie) Garver of De Graff, grandchildren: Josh (Brittany) Harpst, Joel (Hannah Roberts) Harpst, Justin (Heather) Harpst, Mara (Tyler) Maschke, Jesse Harpst, and Matthew (Ashley) Hemmer, half-brother Jack Harpst, nephew Jack Harpst Jr., and seven great grandchildren. Jim was preceded in death by his parents and wife.

Jim will be remembered for his personality - the rough edges and the ornery, yet caring interior, and his sharp memory and wit. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

A private service will be held at a later date.

Online Condolences may be expressed at www.jenningsfarley.com