James Elwin "Jim" Lathrop, of Crocker, was born on September 30, 1934, at Leavenworth, Kansas a son of Jack and Marjorie (Courtney) Clapper and departed this life at 1:00 p.m., Thursday, December 10, 2020 in the Phelps Health, Rolla. Mr. Lathrop had attained the age of 86 years, 3 months and 10 days.

Mr. Lathrop was united in marriage on June 6, 1955, at Kansas City, Missouri to the former Miss Dorothy Corinne McDowell and to this union, four children were born. He was preceded in death by his wife on January 24, 2017; his parents, Jack and Marjorie and one granddaughter, Julie Jones.

In September of 1954, Mr. Lathrop entered into active federal service in the United States Air Force and served his country until October 1, 1974, when he was honorably discharged at Mtn Home Air Force Base, Idaho. Following his military career, Mr. Lathrop had worked as a boat mechanic at the Lake of the Ozarks. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post # 4956, Crocker and he and his wife had been caretakers of the Hawkeye Cemetery. He was very artistic and enjoyed carving, playing the guitar, hunting and fishing.

Those left to mourn the passing of Mr. Lathrop include: his children, Paul Lathrop, Richland; Jimmy Lathrop and Reba Carter, both of Crocker and Corky Hill and her husband, Gayle, Iberia; one sister, JoAnn Parr and husband, Bill, Edwardsville, Kansas; eight grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren and many other relatives and friends.

Visitation will be held for Mr. Lathrop from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m., Monday, December 14, 2020 in the Long-Kloeppel Funeral Chapel, Crocker.

Interment with full military honors following the visitation in the Hawkeye Cemetery, near Crocker under the direction of the Long-Kloeppel Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Crocker.  Pallbearers for Mr. Lathrop will be Paul Lathrop, Adam Lathrop, Leonard Shelton, Wesley Hill, Mike Shelton and Rocky Foster.

Memorial contributions are suggested by the family to the Hawkeye Cemetery Perpetual Care Fund with envelopes available at the Long-Kloeppel Funeral Hone & Cremation Services, Crocker.