James Cleveland Nipper of Connell passed away January 7, 2015. Jim was born in Roseworth, Idaho on May 2, 1926 to Arthur and Mary Nipper. He joined brothers Erling, Dewey, Jack and Frank; along with sisters Bess, Grace and Mable. He became a big brother to Richard three years later. Life was not easy for the large family and only made harder when Arthur suddenly passed away from spotted fever when Jim was seven years old. Although life was not ideal it made the family closer than most and has remained that way. The family eventually relocated to Buhl, Idaho where Jim attended Buhl High School. Just before graduating, at age 17, he joined the US Navy. He was assigned to the repair ship, USS Ajax as a signal man. The ship saw action in the South Pacific and this experience stayed with him forever. He was honorably discharged in 1946 and returned to his family and friends in Buhl. Jim was close to his cousin Ivan Nipper and the two of them both noticed a beautiful local girl, Frieda Duppong, who was known to have extremely high standards in whom she dated. So they made a bet as to which of the two could get a date with Frieda. Jim, who was a quiet sincere young man, won the bet and Frieda's heart. After a nine month engagement they were married on November 17, 1947. Jim and Frieda were blessed with son Jim, in 1948 and daughter Ann in 1951. At the encouragement of his cousin Ivan, Jim and Frieda relocated to Richland Washington in 1952 where Jim was employed by the Hanford Railroad. It was a job he thoroughly enjoyed. They lived in a small camp trailer in North Richland but were able to buy a 3-bedroom prefab on Sanford Street not long after arriving in Richland. While living there the family grew; son Ron was born in 1954, daughter Jeannie in 1955, son Ken in 1958, son Allen in 1959, daughter Rose in 1963 and daughter Frances in 1964. The family attended Christ the King Catholic Church and school. It soon became apparent that the 3-bedroom prefab was too small so Jim decided he would dig a basement under the house with the help of his older sons, brothers, brothers-in-law and other family members. After many hours of hard work, time and energy, the remodel was finished in a couple of years, all while Jim worked his Hanford job. He was truly a man dedicated to his family and did everything possible to provide for us and give us a loving home. In 1971 Jim's job with the railroad came to an end and he took the opportunity to relocate the family to Connell, Washington where he opened a lumberyard and worked as the plant carpenter for Lamb Weston. Through the years Jim and Frieda made an acre of desert into a beautiful green park through lots of hard work and determination. Their flower gardens and vegetable gardens were the envy of many and provided great enjoyment. They provided flowers for their church and vegetables to whoever needed them. After retiring from Lamb Weston in 1989, Jim was kept busy using his carpenter's skills building kitchen and china cabinets, dressers, remodeling, building additions and so much more for many family and friends in the Connell area. Between all his retirement jobs, Jim and Frieda were able to do some traveling throughout the United States visiting family and friends. Jim and Frieda celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on November 17, 1997. Frieda passed away suddenly six months later. Jim stayed in the family home trying to keep up mom's gardens and the house as best he could. He was able to do this until his Parkinson's disease made it impossible for him to remain there. Jim developed a special friendship with a longtime acquaintance, Regina Janosky. They were united in Christ on July 4th 2009 at St. Vincent's Catholic Church. While son Ron built Jim a wheelchair accessible home, Jim lived in an apartment at Regina's motel. She took very good care of him and made it possible for him to live independently for a bit longer. Unfortunately, Jim's Parkinson's developed quickly and he was never able to move into his beautiful new home. Jim moved to Tranquility Manor in Kennewick Washington in 2012 where he received amazing care from Bernadette, Kimberly, Amanda, Danni, Julia and the rest of his dedicated caregivers. Their first priority was to provide care with dignity and respect for Jim and the family. Jim's children and family appreciate beyond words the care they provided and gave to him. The legacy Jim leaves behind is one of a truly gentle man. He was soft spoken but lived his beliefs and his faith by his actions. We are truly blessed to have had him as loving and kind father. Jim is survived by his children; Jim and wife Mary; Ann and husband Steve; Ron and wife Alison; Jeannie and husband Jim; Ken and wife Brenda; Allen and wife Debbi; Rose; Frances and husband Doug; wife, Regina and brother, Richard. He was blessed with 21 grandchildren, and 27 great-grandchildren. Many brothers and sisters-in-law as well as numerous nieces and nephews also survive him. Viewing will be at St. Vincent's Catholic Church in Connell, Washington on Tuesday January 13th at 6:00 pm. with Rosary services following at 7:00 pm. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St Vincent's Catholic Church on Wednesday January 14th at 10:00 a.m. with interment at Mt. View Cemetery in Connell. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Northwest Parkinson's Foundation or the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research.