Jim Wedam passed away Wednesday, March 19, from pneumonia with complications.
He is survived by his wife, Sharon; four children and their spouses, Ryan (Lisa), Andy (Kate), Shannon (Darrin), and Brandon (Jenny); and 18 grandchildren, Nathan, Isabel, Miranda, Hugo, Ethan, Joan, Greg, Alice, Leah, Tim, Gordon, Zelie, Clara, Joe, Jack and Rosie Wedam, and Anna and Ella Zavodsky. Siblings: Kathy (Oren), Dennis (Norene), Fred (Colleen), Van, Chris (Larry), Mike (Sue), and Gary (Terri); and several nieces and nephews. Jim was preceded in death by his grandson, Adrian.
Jim and his family lived outside Winlock until he was 13, when they moved to Silver Creek, where they continued to raise turkeys. He graduated from Mossyrock in 1966 and WSU in 1970 with a degree in agriculture. He served in the Army until 1972, when he came back to Silver Creek and started to milk cows. He and Sharon McCalden were married in November 1972. In addition to field corn for silage, Jim grew sweet corn for several years. He sold it locally, and it was an enjoyable time to connect with many neighbors/Lewis County people.
In his early years of dairy farming, Jim Lenz and Gary Gross were good friends and mentors.
A memorial service is planned for Saturday, March 29, at noon at the Salkum Fire Hall.
