Jimmy L. Papa

Jimmy Lee Papa, 76, of Elkhart passed away on Monday, November 2, 2020 at Elkhart General Hospital. Jimmy was born on March 4, 1944 in Elkhart, IN to Gene Francis and Florence Rachel Papa. He married Cheryl on June 13, 1964 at St. Vincent Catholic Church.

Jimmy owned the Hair & I for many years and finished his career first at Vincent’s Hair Styles and then at The Cutting Edge hair salon in Elkhart. He enjoyed golfing and acrylic pour painting. His greatest love was his family and his dog Coco.

Jimmy is survived by his wife of 56 years, Cheryl of Elkhart, their children, Gina (Jim Lubowitz) Papa of Santa Fe, New Mexico, Christin (John) Kinsey of Elkhart and Devon (Susan) Papa of Elkhart; their grandchildren, Haley, Jack, Cassidy and Cady; his brother, Ron (Kathy) Papa of Edmond, OK and his dog, Coco.

There was no miracle. Covid deploys and destroys so swiftly, so surely, it dizzies the mind and robs us of words. In 23 days, 76 years of collected experience and memory was stilled. He was always an energetic father, who lived to be of service to others, who bestowed beauty wherever he went, who believed regrets were a waste of time, who loved absolutely everything about his very active life, who laughed, quarreled, and cried easily and often, and who once said if he could be remembered for only one thing then he hoped it would be kindness. His family, friends and community mourn his loss. Please wear your mask, watch your distance, and wash your hands often. You can be certain that the life of someone depends on it.

A celebration of Jimmy’s life will be held at a later date. He will be laid to rest at Rice Cemetery. Stemm-Lawson-Peterson Funeral Home, 1531 Cobblestone Blvd, Elkhart, IN 46514 is assisting the Papa family.

Memorial contributions for Jimmy may be made to:

The Humane Society of Elkhart County at http://elkharthumanesociety.org/donate/

or Bashor Children's Home at http://bashor.org/GETINVOLVED/Donate.aspx