James John Harper, 71, of Iola, Kansas, died Wednesday, June 13, 2012, at the Allen County Hospital. James was born September 10, 1940, in Kansas City, Missouri, the son of Charles Allen and Bertha Marie (Aubele) Harper. He grew up in the Kansas City area and graduated from William Jewell College with a degree in Botany. James married Victoria Cummings and they divorced. On January 22, 1976, he married Nova Lee (Keene) Baker and they made their home in Iola. She preceded him in death December 30, 2005. James enjoyed singing in barbershop quartets and raising and hybridizing iris and lilies. SURVIVORS: 3 Sons: Danny of Iola, James of Nevada, MO and Chuck of Kansas City, MO 2 Daughters: Lana Thayer of Winfield, KS and Patience Harper of Iola, KS 8 Grandchildren and 10 Great Grandchildren He was preceded in death by his brother, Fredric. GRAVESIDE SERVICE: 11:00 a.m., Monday, June 18, 2012, at South Lawn Cemetery at Severy, Kansas. Waugh-Yokum & Friskel Memorial Chapel of Iola, is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences for the family may be left on this website, www.iolafuneral.com.