James Hunter Tarpley

Our Community Champion for the month of July is the unofficial “Mayor and Angel of Grandin Village,” Mr. James Hunter Tarpley. He considers his neighborhood to be his responsibility. You can see Mr. Tarpley, planting flowers, pulling weeds, picking up trash, offering directions to those in need, showing strangers "where the good parking is," and introducing visitors to the Village, his friends(who incidentally includes everyone) and local businesses. Mr. Tarpley, vigilantly guards the merchants and people who live in Grandin Village. His keen attention to his neighborhood earned him a commendation from the City of Roanoke, when, back in February of 2004, he and three other men apprehended a bank robber. Mr. Tarpley loves to help anyone in need, either by providing the help himself, or by finding the outside resources that can assist. His philosophy is: “You have to know yourself before you can give to others.”

 Mr. James Tarpley, even has a park named after him, located across from the No. 7 Fire Station on Memorial Avenue. The park has playground equipment, is fenced in to keep children safe from traffic and from strangers, and is open to anyone that stops by. For years, Mr. Tarpley could be found in the park, offering his assistance and affection to the children of the neighborhood.

Mr. Tarpley, has been living in the Grandin Village area for the last 30 years. He believes, “If you love yourself, you’re going to love people.” This idea then trickles down to helping other people and taking pride in your neighborhood.

 Let’s all give a “hearty job well done,” to the beloved Mr. James Tarpley, “Mayor and Angel,” of Grandin Village, our, July 2011 Community Champion.

101.5 the music place and our partners at the Fork Restaurants salute all our Community Champions, and know their selflessness will inspire us all.

Submit your nomination to: communitychampion[at]1015themusicplace[dot]com.

Please join us in celebrating the champions in our community! Each month, send in your nominations by the 25th day of the month, with their name, contact information, and why you believe they are a Community Champion. We will feature the selected Community Champion of the Month on our website, recognize them on air for a month. 

Picture provided by Brett Winter Lemon