James "JE" Edward Lamm

On 31 January 2025, at the amazing age of 92, James Edward (JE) Lamm died. He was born to Elijah and Delanie, one of seven siblings who grew up in Johnston county on a tobacco farm, doing the hard work of the fields through the depression and beyond. Jim was the third oldest of five girls and two boys, siblings to whom he is eternally connected. (JE is survived by his siblings: Betty Gray; Wyona; Sybil Lynn; Vira Lee [Bill]; and Wayne [Joyce], who all reside now in North Carolina. He was preceded in death by his sister, Geraldine.) At nineteen, Jim enlisted in the Air Force. During his term, he travelled to French Morocco, Egypt, Turkey and Guam but returned to North Carolina where his deepest roots have always been. Upon leaving the Air Force, he began his lifetime career in the Civil Service, continuing his work with the Air Force and the Strategic Air Command. His work took him to California, where he met his wife, Carol (who preceded him in death). Jim and Carol had three daughters while in California, and all relocated to Omaha, Nebraska in the mid- 1970’s for his work. Jim ultimately retired in Omaha, but returned to North Carolina after Carol’s death. Jim and Carol celebrated more than forty years of marriage together, and then he had thirteen years in NC as a widower-retiree, where he was able to reconnect with his siblings and enjoy the place of his birth. As he was an avid North Carolina basketball fan (his favorite color was Carolina blue!), he felt the most at home here and desired it to be his final home.

Jim was a quiet man, a deep introvert with a significantly loving heart. He did not shy away from hard work, from duty, from family or from friends. Jim held longstanding relationships, the kinds of which are earned over so many years on this earth. While he was not a man of deep faith, he was significantly moral and loyal beyond what many of us ever experience — above all, Jim was a decent man, harder on himself than he was with anyone else, and true to his convictions. His was a significant engineering mind, one that extended beyond machinery to a love of woodworking. He created many treasures that are now family heirlooms that we are fortunate to have as remembrances of him. He taught each of us the value of hard work, the commitment to family, and the need to do good for others in this world. Together, Jim and Carol knitted together a life out of very little, and left us all far richer than they ever could have planned.

In 2016, Jim faced the daunting diagnosis of dementia, coupled with other diseases of the aged. Over time, these eroded his independence and limited the activities in his daily life. During such a difficult time, Jim was fortunate to meet Ellen Grimm, who became his care giver and best friend. The years that Ellen cared for Jim were quiet and filled with laughter and optimism — Jim taught Ellen checkers, although was a little put-out when she began to beat him at his own game! While his independence lessened, Ellen and Jim were often able to forge a path where he could still enjoy the Carolina life he had come to treasure in new ways that were safe and honorable. Ellen held a special place in Jim’s life, and his family considers her a bonus-aunt even after her retirement.

The family would like to thank the staff of The Pines at the Cardinal at North Hills, for walking the final months of Jim’s life with us. The peace of knowing his care was based in such love and dignity is a gift that cannot be estimated. We also wish to acknowledge the personal care for Jim that was provided by Tiara McDougald (and Mr. Jangles!), who is now an instrumental member of the extended family. Tiara and Jim had many adventures in his last months, and her joy of life infected and colored every aspect of Jim’s existence. To say she has ben an angel is to undervalue the grace she brings all of us.

Jim is additionally survived by: Dawn Lamm (Bill Niebur, Adelle Niebur); Janine Lamm-Roy (the Rev. Jeffrey Roy, Candace Roy, Liam Roy); Lori Counts (Dave Counts, Delanie Counts).

Brown-Wynne, 300 Saint Mary's Street, Raleigh is serving the Lamm family.