James R. "Jim" Wickam

1942-2023

James R. (Jim) Wickam, age 80, of Savannah, Missouri, passed away at Abbey Woods Nursing Home on Thursday, May 4, 2023.  Jim, son of James Edward and Alberta M. (Roth) Wickam, was born on November 4, 1942, in Saint Joseph, Missouri.

Jim graduated from Lafayette High School in 1960, following graduation he attended Saint Joseph Junior College. Jim had been a police officer for the St. Joseph Police Department. He helped build the Easton Road Pump Station/ Waste Water Facility in 1979. He worked for Herzog Contracting and was a member of the Teamsters Union working out of the Teamsters Hall for many years. Following that, he owned and operated his own trucking company, Agri-Truck, from which he retired as an over the road truck driver.

Survivors include three daughters, Hollie R. Thompson of Saint Joseph, Missouri; Candie L. Chandler and her husband Al, of Cassville, Missouri and Marcie D. Redemer and her husband, Bob of Saint Joseph, Missouri; eight Grand-Children, Lacie Lyons and her husband Cam, of Korea; Cristin Myers and her husband Corey, of Saint Joseph, Missouri; Lindsey of Saint Joseph, Missouri; Kameron Duncan and his wife Brooke, of Savannah, Missouri; Emma Zuptich and her husband Josh; Payton, Quinton, and Sutton Redemer, of Saint Joseph, Missouri and seven Great-Great Grand Children, Brooklynn, Dash, Abigail, Rayleigh, Taya, Joel, Huey, and one Great Grand Son due in October of 2023.

Anyone who met Jim knew immediately that he didn't know a stranger and he loved to tell stories.  Jim cherished his growing family of humans and kitty cats.  He was a softy at heart.  Jim loved the outdoors, especially fishing, hunting, reloading and making his own ammunition, and gardening.  He enjoyed going to gun shows with his childhood friends, Ronnie and Kenny.  An interesting fact is that Jim visited all 50 states.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Janice L. Wickam, and his brother-in-law, Jimmy J. Musalek.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 -7:00 PM, Monday, May 8, 2023 with a Memorial Service to follow at 7:00 PM at Heaton-Bowman-Smith & Sidenfaden Chapel in Saint Joseph.

Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Heaton-Bowman-Smith & Sidenfaden Chapel.