Obituary of James E. Roupe

James Edward Roupe, longtime resident of Fox Island, was born on August 14, 1931 in Eldora (Hardin County) Iowa, to Merle Silvanus and Ina Helen Crecelius Roupe, the fifth child. James attended elementary school in Eldora, Iowa, before moving to Moscow, Idaho, where he attended high school. Jim received his Bachelor and Master degrees from the University of Idaho. He did additional work at Western Oregon and Whitworth Colleges. Delta Tau Delta social fraternity, Kappa Delta Phi and Sigma Delta Chi, professional fraternities, were among the many organizations to which Jim belonged. As a member of the US Army, Signal Corp, 1953 -1956, stationed in Germany, he was able to travel throughout Western Europe. Upon returning to civilian life Jim taught junior high school in Lakewood, WA and in Lake Oswego, OR, before joining McGraw-Hill Book Company, New York City, first in sales and later as Director of Marketing. He left McGraw-Hill to accept a vice president position with Centron Communications Corporation and to develop an international marketing division for that company. His last business position was as president of Beacon Films, a marketing company out of Boston, MA. In retirement Jim has enjoyed his volunteer and staff work with the Washington State Historical Society and the Fox Island Historical Society where he served on the board of directors. He was blessed by having a loving family and many friends throughout the country. James was preceded in death by his parents, his two sisters, Ann Jean Marin and Shirley Hayden and brother Merle Charles Roupe. James is survived by two sisters, Sandra (Roupe) Murren of Federal Way, WA and Frances (Roupe) Vita of Somers, CT, along with many nieces and nephews. Interment will be in the family plot, Fairmount Cemetery, Spokane, WA. Memorials may be made to the Fox Island Historical Society, 1017 9th Ave., Fox Island, WA 98333 OR to the United Church of Christ, 726 6th Ave., Fox Island, WA 98333. Memorial service will be held 1:30pm, Aug. 5, United Church of Christ, 726 6th Avenue, Fox Island, WA 98333.