James Louis Tapella

James (Jim) Louis Tapella, age 79, passed away, peacefully and surrounded by family on Tuesday, February 2, 2021 at Lake Regional Health System. Jim was born on April 12, 1941 in St. Louis, Missouri to Lena and Louis Tapella. He was the third of 4 children. Jim spent his childhood in St. Louis, Missouri. He went to Epiphany of Our Lord Catholic grade school and graduated from St. John High School in 1959. He received a B.S. and master’s degrees in Physical Geography from St. Louis University. He also taught at Meramec Junior College for 10 years. While working as a tour guide for the National Park Service, Jim met and married Lynette (Lynn) Pont. They were married 56 years. Jim worked at the Defense Mapping Agency which became NIMA. He was transferred to Kansas City, Missouri and spent 10 years at the office there. He was transferred back to St. Louis until he retired in 1999. After retirement, Jim and Lynn relocated closer to family at the Lake of the Ozarks and built their log home. Jim and Lynn both volunteered for the Lake Regional Auxiliary and Hospice Compassus. Jim loved to ride his bike and go kayaking. He was also a computer nerd. Jim was preceded in death by his brother Chuck Tapella (Bernadette), his sister Roseann Becker (Fred), as well as his grandson Alex Keith. Jim is survived by his wife Lynette, daughter Debbie Graf (Mike) of Lake Ozark, Missouri, son Donald Tapella (Christi) of Odessa, Missouri. He also leaves one sister Fran Kostelnik (Joe), and 3 grandchildren Adam, Ry, and Addisyn, and many nieces and nephews. Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 am, Tuesday, February 9, 2021 at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church in Lake Ozark, Missouri. The family will welcome friends for visitation from 10:00 – 11:00 am prior to services at the church. Inurnment will be held at Lake Memorial Gardens in Osage Beach, Missouri. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, April 10, 2021 at Four Seasons Activity Center. Details will be forthcoming. Memorial donations are suggested to Hospice Compassus in Osage Beach, Missouri or a charity of your choice.