Jim was born in Iowa City and grew up on his parents' dairy farm, where farm life became a part of him from an early age. He graduated from Traer High School in 1971 and began his working life at Tama Pack. Before long, however, he found his way back to the farm, doing custom work including spraying and applying fertilizer.

 In 1973, Jim began farming alongside his father, beginning what would become a lifetime devoted to farming. Over the years, he raised corn, soybeans and hay and worked with dairy cattle, hogs and beef cattle. Mechanically inclined and always willing to figure things but, Jim could build or repair just about anything that needed to be done.

 In 1979, Jim married the love of his life, Sandi. Together they built a life centered around their family and the farm, raising four daughters who all grew up helping with the work. Their marriage was a loving one, with plenty of teasing mixed in along the way. 

Jim was never content to simply do things the way they had always been done. He was among the first farmers in the area to embrace no-till farming, something he remained especially proud of. He also took tremendous pride in the care of his livestock, particularly maintaining a low death loss among his hogs. When he first began raising hogs, Jim farrowed his own sows, eventually expanding his operation and building hog confinements in 2000 and 2006. He also developed a herd of beef cattle. 

His success in farming earned him recognition over the years. In 1999, he took second place in the Big Boar Contest at the Iowa State Fair. He was a longtime member of the Pork Producers and in 2009 received the Iowa Master Pork Producer Award. 

Some of Jim's greatest contributions to farming, however, weren't measured by awards. He was generous with his time and knowledge and was often the person others turned to when something needed fixing or figuring out. Later in life, he enjoyed mentoring younger farmers and sharing what he had learned through decades of experience.

 Jim retired from crop farming in 2018 and from hog farming in 2020, although retirement never really meant sitting still. He continued fixing and tinkering and became an accomplished gardener, taking particular pride in his sweet corn and vegetable garden.

 As important as the farm was to Jim, family was at the center of his life. He was a devoted husband and father and "Papa" to six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. 

 Jim was generous, positive and always had a little ornery side. He could be silly and had a way of making even simple, everyday tasks more fun. His generosity extended well beyond his family and friends; he was always willing to give both his time and financial support to organizations and causes in his community. His faith was deeply important to him, and he was a longtime member Of the Catholic Church. 

Jim built a life around the things that mattered most to him: his family, his faith, farming and helping others. From farming alongside his father, to raising four daughters on the farm, to sharing his knowledge with younger farmers, he leaves behind a lifetime Of lessons, memories and a family who will carry them forward.

Jim is preceded in death by his parents; and two brothers, Tom and Gerry Kopriva. 

He is survived by his wife, Sandi; four daughters, April (Wayde) Krebsbach, Jolene (Kip) Manibhai, Keri Kopriva, and Krista (Vincent) Walker; one brother, John Kopriva; six grandchildren, Faith (Michael) Eisele-Beck, Conner and Riley Manibhai, Daelyn and Dacey Powell, and Marah Walker; and two great grandchildren, Skyla Beck and Hadley Eisele and many family and friends.

There will be a visitation on Friday, August 28, 2026 from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. at St. Paul Catholic Church, Traer, IA. with the funeral service being held on Saturday, August 29,2026 at 10:00 a.m. also at St. Paul Catholic Church. There will be no visitation before the service on Saturday.  Burial will be held later at Waterloo Memorial Park Cemetery, Waterloo, IA, at 2:00 p.m.

Memorials may be directed to Cedar Valley Hospice or Dollar for Scholarship in Jim's honor.