Obituary of James C. Knapp

James C. Knapp, longtime resident of Iowa City, died on October 29, 2025, with family by his side.

A memorial service will be held at Grace Community Church in North Liberty on Sunday, December 7th at 3:00. A graveside service will follow in the summer at Clear Lake Municipal Cemetery.

Born August 5, 1940, Jim was the only child of Paul and Nell (Petersen) Knapp of Clear Lake, Iowa.

As a child attending Clear Lake Schools, Jim was active in Boy Scouts. Boy Scout principles of trustworthiness, loyalty, helpfulness, friendliness, thrift, bravery and reverence guided Jim throughout his life. Very social, young Jim and his childhood pals laid the groundwork for lifelong friendships. Jim was close with his parents, working alongside them, tending muskmelons, asparagus and other crops in one of several family businesses, Knapp Gardens. Homebuilding and real estate skills learned at home would later shape his career. It was another family activity, introduced by his parents when he was 13, that would become a source of lifelong pleasure for Jim--the game of bridge.

In high school, Jim earned a reputation for uncommon strength as a defensive lineman. Outside of school, Jim ran with friends, partaking in the fun of his idyllic lakeside town--drive-ins, the Corner Drug soda fountain and dances at the soon-to-be famed Surf Ballroom. These activities were the backdrop for meeting the love his life, Shirley Monson of neighboring Ventura, who captured his heart with her fun-loving nature.

In 1959 after a year at Northern Iowa Area Community College, Jim enlisted in the U.S. Army. Courting Shirley across the miles, he was stationed in Connecticut, where he trained as an engineer and earned the designations of marksman and sharpshooter. Deployment orders for Korea hastened the couple's wedding plans and they married on August 9, 1961. While in Korea, Jim served with the 2nd Missile Battalion, 71st Artillery as a missile equipment specialist.

When reunited, the couple lived in Minneapolis where Shirley attended technical college and Jim took a job at Bemis Bag. Returning to Clear Lake, they welcomed their first child, Jon, before moving to Iowa City where Jim earned his bachelor's in business administration at the University of Iowa.

After college, Jim worked as an accountant for Component Homes. Taking inspiration, he soon launched his own career in homebuilding as the couple welcomed their second child, Leslie. With creative flair, Jim designed and built homes in Iowa City and North Liberty, several of which were Parade of Homes favorites. In time, his career grew to include commercial contracting and remodeling. With a knack for underbidding the competition, Jim won contracts overseeing construction of the Iowa Museum of Natural History, Nautilus Health Spa, the remodeling of the Old Capitol Center, steeple restoration at the Congregational United Church of Christ and projects at the University of Iowa. Jim's work life also included such varied jobs as laying highway as a young man, teaching drafting at Kirkwood Community College, and management at the University of Iowa Physical Plant.

Jim and Shirley enjoyed many activities--winning a dancing contest or two, and participating in league bowling, camping, canoeing and downhill skiing with treasured friends. Devout Hawkeye fans, they held season tickets for football and men's basketball, occasionally hitting the road to cheer on the Hawks. The couple worshipped at the Congregational United Church of Christ and later at Grace Community Church. Jim enjoyed lap swimming and was self-taught at piano and guitar. On his 50th birthday, with less than a year of training in Tae Kwon Do, Jim won his division at the Iowa Games. Jim was a member of the American Legion and took part in an "Over 70's Club", lending his woodworking skills to restore furniture for community members in need. In retirement, he enjoyed writing poetry and volunteering at the VA Medical Center.

Jim's lifelong passion was the game of bridge. It's intricacies and challenge afforded an outlet for his sharp mind. He enjoyed decades of play in the Iowa City bridge club. His winning tournament performance in the American Contract Bridge League earned him the distinction early-on of Life Master. To share his pure love for the game, Jim developed a handbook titled "Bridge -- A Philosophical Approach" which emphasized the communicative aspects of partnership play. Jim's strategic mind, honed by decades of bridge, led him to enjoy games of strategy with family until his final weeks of life.

Jim had a unique and creative approach to problem solving which he applied to everything from civic matters to construction. Community-minded and incisive, he brought thoughtful ideas to City Hall. Jim was appreciated for his warm heart for neighbor and stranger alike. His readiness to help, his quick humor and the playful, congenial twinkle in his eye blessed those who truly came to know him.

Jim lit up with pride and gratitude for his wife Shirley, their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. His care, unswerving support, and confidence in them is mirrored in their love and gratitude for him. Jim treasured his lifelong friends and Monson brothers-and-sisters-in-law as the siblings he did not have.

Jim is loved and sorely missed by his survivors, son, Rev. Jon Knapp (Suzette), daughter Leslie Russell (Bruce); sisters-in-law Rita Lee, Gloria Kline (Michael), Donna Monson, Karen Monson, and Marcia Monson; grandchildren Michael Knapp (Sydney), Stephanie Knapp, Ryan Knapp (Riawna Romano), Bruce Russell, Jr., and Claudia Russell; great grandchildren Owen, Sophia, Emmett, Arielle, Amelia and Leo; as well numerous nieces and nephews.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, wife Shirley, parents-in-law, Alfred and Evelyn Monson, brothers-in-law, Eugene Monson (Joan), Arlen "Peep" Monson (Janice), Dean Monson (Patty), Alan Monson, John Michael Monson (Sandy), and Mark Monson; sister-in-law LaVonne Holmgaard (Dale); nieces Dawn Holmgaard, Cindy Monson Dunn; and nephew Matthew Kline.