John "Jack" Thomas Lappin Jr.

John Thomas “Jack” Lappin Jr. died in Denver on Sept. 7, 2024, age 90.

Jack was born in Denver on May 29, 1934, the oldest of three children of John T. Lappin Sr. and Roberta Louise Adams Lappin. He attended South High School and left school in 1951 to join the U.S. Navy, serving in San Diego as a dental technician. He returned to Denver and completed his high school education at Emily Griffith Opportunity School. He worked at Public Service Co of Colorado from about 1954 to 1964, attending the University of Denver part-time while employed there 

In 1954, he married Pauline Gonzales. Their son, Mark Anthony Lappin, was born in 1956. They divorced in 1959. In 1964, he married Zoe von Ende. Jack then finished his college education at DU as a full-time student, graduating in 1965 with a bachelor’s degree in economics. He joined the staff of Boettcher & Co., Denver investment bankers, as an accountant and broker. He retired in 1991. After retirement, Jack volunteered for more than 20 years as a tax preparer for AARP, and he also became an Enrolled Agent which allowed him to practice before the IRS.

Jack was an avid trout fisherman and prided himself on tying his own trout flies and building fishing rods. He fished on streams and rivers throughout Colorado, the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland and in Yellowstone National Park, his favorite fishing place, among many, many others. 

Jack was a devout patriot and had an intense knowledge of jazz, baseball, old movies, American history, finance, the markets and everything to do with economics. In his 40s and 50s, Jack was an accomplished runner, completing several marathons. He and Zoe traveled extensively in the U.S.; Wisconsin, Zoe’s native state, the Santa Fe Opera and elsewhere in the Southwest were among his stateside favorite destinations. He and Zoe also travelled to Ireland, the United Kingdom and elsewhere in Europe during retirement. In Ireland, he walked where his Lappin ancestors lived – in Annies Townland, County Monaghan – and crossed over Annies Bridge on the River Finn. His Lappin ancestors, Bernard and Bridget Clarkin Lappin, immigrated to Wisconsin in 1844. 

Jack is survived by his wife; son Michael J. Lappin, (Andrea A. Johnson); daughter Sarah A. Lappin, (Andrew R. Frew); grandsons Jackson Lappin, Asher Lappin and Tyler Joosten; sister Kathleen P. Lappin Shaffer (Michael L. Shaffer); and numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his son Mark in 1986, his mother in 1994, his father in 1998, and his sister Arlene Lappin Scott in 2015. 

A funeral Mass was celebrated at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church with burial at Fairmount Cemetery. Donations may be made in Jack’s name to the Denver Hospice, Administrative Offices, 8289 E. Lowry Blvd, Denver, CO 80230.