James W. Harpst

James W. Harpst (Jim), 70, passed away peacefully on August 26, 2022 at Arden Courts Memory Care in Pittsburgh after a two year battle with Lewy Body Dementia. 

Jim was preceded in death by his father, Edward, his mother, Hazel Jean (Hobling), and his brother, Jerry.  Jim is survived by his wife, Frances (Payne), daughter Lauren, son Sean, son-in-law Bobby, granddaughter Riley, four brother and sister in-laws, and several nieces and nephews.

Jim was born and raised in Blissfield, Michigan and graduated from Blissfield High School, where his best memories always involved playing trumpet in marching band and being with friends. He earned a business degree from Siena Heights University and started a successful career in marketing, sales, and entrepreneurship. In 1989, Jim married his wife and best friend, Frances in the Berkshires where he owned a small fine art silk screen printing company. They moved to Pittsburgh where Jim and Frances were blessed with two children, Lauren and Sean. Jim continued his career in Pittsburgh as a very dedicated sales manager. Jim loved recruiting and developing new sales people to become their best. 

Golf brought him much joy - playing, watching, and practicing; he had a tournament hole-in-one and qualified for 2010 Senior Regional Amateur Tour, but loved golf the most when playing friends and family. When he retired in 2019, Jim moved to Charleston, South Carolina to enjoy golfing year-round where he finished his life long tour. 

Jim was always very proud of his family and took every opportunity to brag about them. Frances, Lauren, and Sean will continue to brag about him for the rest of their lives.

Please join us to celebrate his life on Friday, September 2, from 2pm-4pm and 6pm-8pm at McDonald-Linn Funeral Home and Saturday, September 3, 11am at St. Brendan’s Episcopal Church. If you would like to attend the luncheon after the service, please contact the family to RSVP. 

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Lewy Body Dementia Association or Clear Thoughts Foundation.  

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