James Charles Thorpe, 84, of Bettendorf, died Tuesday, May 16, 2023 at UnityPoint Health –Trinity, Bettendorf.  A visitation will be 4-7 pm Monday, May 22, 2023 at Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home and Crematory, 3030 7th Avenue, Rock Island.  Cremation rites will follow.

James was born in Rock Island, Illinois on January 12, 1939, a son of Charles "Lefty" and Margaret Sheil Thorpe.  He graduated from Alleman High School.

James married Barbara Maranda in April of 1961 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Rock Island.  Together they had four children.  They later divorced, yet remained friends.

James started his career as an apprentice machinist at the Rock Island Arsenal.  He also worked for J.I Case, John Deere and retired at 50 years old from Caterpillar.

James was a mastermind of fuel injections systems.  He enjoyed watching television and loved ice cream and tamales.  He was always trying to perfect his hot tamale recipe.

Those left to cherish his memory include his children, Sue (Randy) McIntye, Jeff (Eileen) Thorpe, Steve Thorpe and Linda (Keith) Kincaid; grandchildren, Justin, Jordan, Brittany, Matthew, Chase, Aksel, Candy, Brandon and Joel; great-grandchildren, Aliza, Jentry, Juke, Rikki, Ryker, Daniel, Molly, Anna, Bella, Oliver, Bennett, Cole and Quinn; and siblings, Tony (Mary) Thorpe, Bill (Virginia) Thorpe, Daniel (Shirley) Thorpe, Chuck (Linda) Thorpe, Tim (Pam) Thorpe, Dick (Denise) Thorpe, Fran Krahl and Margaret Ann (Bob) Harmon.

He was preceded in death by his parents, granddaughter, Jacie Sue Hicks and siblings, Wally Thorpe and Kathy Fourdyce.

Online condolences, memories and expressions of sympathy may be left for the family at wheelanpressly.com