James Michael Elam passed away peacefully in his sleep on April 23rd, 2019. He was 62 years old. He is
survived by his 2 sons, James M. Elam II age 35 and Benjamin Aaron Elam age 30 as well as his wife Rose
Elam.
James M. Elam was born in Peninsula Ohio on November 8th 1956 to parents Ethel and Harv Elam. He
grew up working the farm his grandfather and father worked before him. After the farm was lost to
eminent domain, James joined the army and served a tour of duty in Vietnam. Upon his return to the
states, he joined Goodyear Aerospace Corporation and retired with 28 years of service. He has been a
member of Coventry Akron Masonic Lodge no. 83 since 2009. He has resided in Lakemore Ohio these
past 25 years.
Jim was a devoted father who loved his children more than life itself. He could often be found riding
motorcycles – always Harley Davidson – or driving his 69 Camaro for all the neighborhood to hear!
When he wasn’t behind the wheel or handlebars, you could often find him working on some project for
the house or puttering about in the garden. He loved hunting, fishing, travel, photography, gunsmithing
and reloading, wine making, welding, boating, good Kentucky whiskey and things that go boom – the
louder the better.
Jim was an inventive man; there was nothing he couldn’t fabricate or a problem he couldn’t solve. His
sense of humor was as dark as night, but his soul shined as bright as the stars of heaven. Father. Mason.
Warrior. Lover. If the worth of a man is to be judged by the company he keeps and the relations he
leaves behind, then Jim was a very rich man indeed, and he will be missed by many.
Visitation will be held Wednesday, May 8th 2019 at Newcomer Funeral Home between 5 and 7 PM with services by
Pastor John McIntyre at 7 PM.