Robert Jasper

Our beloved husband, father, and friend, “Jim” Jasper, passed away at home in Salt Lake City, Utah, early in the morning of Sunday, January 17th 2021, following his battle with pancreatic cancer.
Jim was born on June 2, 1955 in Kenosha, Wisconsin, the fourth and youngest child of Robert Gordon (Bob) Jasper and Jean Marjorie Cannon. Called “Jamie,” he grew up with his three big sisters in the small town of Winthrop Harbor, Illinois, on the beautiful western shore of Lake Michigan. He always loved working with machines, whether fixing up an old riding lawn mower with his father as a kid, or dreaming up plans for a broken-down Volkswagen bug he bought as a teenager. He took this talent with him into the Army, serving as a mechanic on military vehicles from 1973-1976. He spent time in Germany, and then returned to Colorado following his service. While in the military he joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and his faith guided his actions throughout his life. He always had a strong moral sensibility, and quietly served others without seeking recognition. He was loyal to his friends, and once he considered someone a friend, he stayed their friend forever.
Soon after leaving the Army, Jim fell in love with Stacy Lynn Jeffrey, who he always insisted was the most beautiful girl he had ever seen. They married on November 13,1979, in Salt Lake City, Utah.  He remained devoted to her throughout his life, and was an attentive father to their two sons, Terron Paul (1982) and Evan Vaughn (1983). He taught his sons his love of engineering by building Jeeps with them from the frame up, and involving them in home-building and maintenance projects whenever he could. Jim’s career took his family to Illinois, Utah, California, and eventually back to Longmont, Colorado, where he worked as a service engineer for mass-storage tape drive systems.
Jim faced health challenges throughout his life, notably from a minor stroke in 1984, and a severe one in 2001, after which he and Stacy relocated to Salt Lake City, Utah. Although the road to recovery was long and difficult for him and his family, and although the stroke permanently affected him physically, mentally, and emotionally, Jim continued to embrace life and bless the lives of those around him.  He welcomed daughters-in-law and grandchildren into his family, served in numerous church callings, and continued to love working on cars. He devoted much of his spare time to his hobby of building and shooting guns, especially AR-15 rifles. He loved the time he was able to spend with family and friends on scenic shooting ranges in California, Colorado and Utah.
Jim is survived by his wife, Stacy; two sons Terron (Andrea), and Evan (Kelli); five grandchildren; sisters Sandra Drew (Dave), Leslie Heberlein (Richard), and Robyn Sprague (Bill). He was preceded in death by his parents, and we find comfort in picturing his joyous reunion with them.