Obituary of James Alan Killam

James “Jim” Alan Killam, 70, of Osage Beach, Missouri, died Tuesday, February 2, 2021, at Lake Regional Health System in Osage Beach, Missouri, from complications of Covid-19.

Jim was born March 21, 1950, in Perry, Iowa, the son of John Leroy Killam and (Lola) Arlene Norris Killam of Perry. He attended grade school in Ottumwa, Iowa, and from fifth grade in the Des Moines public schools, graduating from Roosevelt High School with the Class of 1968.

He was a life-long teacher and learner. He attended Morningside College in Sioux City, Iowa, where he met his wife of 49 years, Inez West, and they were married on November 19, 1971, in Des Moines, Iowa.  The couple had two sons, John Nathaniel West Killam and James David West Killam.  During his life, he attended Iowa State University, the University of Iowa, Coe College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Lindenwood College in St. Charles, Missouri.

He traveled in sales for many years in Tulsa, Oklahoma, St. Peters, Georgia, Sidney, Iowa, and Osage Beach, Missouri. He was working for GB Maintenance in Kaiser, Missouri at the time of his death from Covid-19.

He devoted a large part of his life to Harper Chapel United Methodist Church in Osage Beach where he was a member and to the Lake of the Ozarks Soccer Association.  He was a trainer for soccer referees in mid-Missouri.  He was passionate about teaching whether it was through his church life or through soccer.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a niece, Carmen Ann Killam.

He is survived by his wife Inez of Osage Beach, Missouri; his sons Nate Killam and his wife Samantha West-Killam of Linn Creek, Missouri, and Jamie Killam of Osage Beach, Missouri; and his grandson Nathan West.  He is survived also by his sister Cheryl (Roger) Wertenberger of Holdrege, Nebraska; his brother Larry (Linda) Killam of Ankeny, Iowa; a sister-in-law, Ellen (Bob) Longman of Sidney, Iowa; nieces Molly Longman of New York City, New York, Sarah (Jim) Henle of Downingtown, Pennsylvania, Anne (Patrick) Gurdgiel of Roanoke, Texas, and Beth Litwak of New York City, New York; nephew Jason (Karmen) Killam of Des Moines, Iowa; and seven grandnephews and grandnieces Alexander, Jacob, Alyssa, Kiara, Peyton, Declan, and Beau.

There will be no services at his request to avoid the spread of the Coronavirus.

Memorials are directed to Harper Chapel United Methodist Church, 5567 Osage Beach Parkway, Osage Beach, MO 65065 or Lake of the Ozark’s Soccer Association, P.O. Box 661, Linn Creek, MO  65065.