Jim Allan Hams

“What is life? It is the flash of a firefly, the breath of a buffalo in winter, the shadow that runs across the grass and is lost in the sunset” ..…(Blackfoot)

Mr. Hams was born in Lubbock, Texas in 1944 and lived in various cities across Texas before returning to Lubbock where he went from childhood on the edge of cotton fields and sand storms to living through all the usual stories about Lubbock and graduating from Monterey High School Class of 1963 with one last Texas summer.

Mr. Hams left Lubbock in 1964 and immigrated to Grand Junction, Colorado seeking new beginnings. Hams entered the tiny junior college of Mesa and after two years had moderate success after terrible school years in Lubbock. After ending his biology studies at Mesa, a letter arrived that changed everything. Thus Hams joined the army trying to outwit being a grunt by picking helicopter maintenance for training. His attempts to outsmart the Army always resulted in worse situations. Hams spent two years in Alabama and one year in Vietnam. Mr. Hams had many stories of amusements and horrors from his time in the service and as an observer of life. Unfortunately his stories and the lessons will fade away.

Mr. Hams married Marilyn Nielsen while stationed in Alabama and Jeffrey C. Hams was born in 1969 in an army hospital and cost $5. Hams became a science teacher for about ten years. His favorite and best teaching was with the “dummy science classes” as that was the most rewarding. Later Hams worked for the Colorado Department of Health until retirement as a radiation specialist.

The marriage to Miss Nielsen unfortunately ended and in 1990 Mr. Hams married Janna Ballard Haren and they ventured forth with a long love story life together. Mr. Hams gained son Scott with the new marriage. The boys keep the family fresh and lively. The family has moved forth trying to remain ever moving forward.

Mr. Hams was a naturalist who enjoyed his knowledge of the critters among us. Hams also constantly was experimenting and entering projects either as necessity or just to satisfy curiosity. Hams was a gentle soul and a generous person who tried to pass on the good he had learned and squash negative problems inherited through family. Mr. Hams came a long way in his life. He was a lifetime learner and teacher in many and various areas. He was papa-san to the family and would say “I don’t control the family but have a lot of influence.”

He is survived by his wife, Janna; sons, Jeff (Jill) and Scott (Wendi); grandchildren Sam, Elizabeth, Ezra, Jordan, Robert (Rochelle), Everett (Emily), and Darren; niece Debra (Bob); and nephews, Larry, Stephen, and William (Alison). He is also survived by great grandchildren Ariella, Adiah, and Ishmael,

Mr. Hams loved his family and friends and would wish you well. His ashes will be scattered among the nature he adored. Perhaps from the door of a helicopter in steep turn.

“I’ll see you at sundown.” (Northwest Passage)

A Celebration of Life will be in June, followed by a BBQ, Jim’s favorite food.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.callahan-edfast.com for the Hams family.