James Wickham
June 23, 2022
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Service Details
James Harris Wickham died peacefully on June 23, 2022, at Iowa Methodist Hospital in Des Moines.
Jim was born in Des Moines, to Neva (Oxley) Wickham and Wilbur Harrison Wickham on July 27, 1934, 25 minutes before his brother, John. An East High graduate, he enlisted in the Army in 1954 and served in Japan for two years. He used the GI Bill to attend Drake University, earning a BA in English in 1960 and an MA in English in 1970. He taught high school English for the Des Moines Public Schools from 1960 to 1996, 10 years at North High and 26 at Lincoln. Although he worked closely with students in the Gifted and Talented Program, he also volunteered to teach basic grammar courses. Early in the era of desktop computing, he became a Mac devotee who enthusiastically shared his expertise with colleagues. As an active member of the Des Moines Education Association, Jim was a building representative and a member of the negotiations team.
An avid jogger who ran three times a week to work at Lincoln from his home near the Fairgrounds, he continued a demanding exercise routine for more than two decades into retirement. He pursued a variety of interests, from photography, cooking, and gardening to community organizing as a board member of the ACCENT Neighborhood Association.
Family and friends can attest to his loyalty, commitment to justice, verbal brilliance, and sense of humor. He relished practical jokes and puns.
Jim is survived by his wife, Susan (Breemer); his brother, John; sons, Mark (Debbie), Grant (Nancy), and Kane; daughter, Shan (Alan); granddaughters, Ashley Bordelon and Sage Maniscalco-Wickham; bonus granddaughter, Angela Henderson; three greatgrandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Jane Fowler; and sisters, Jessie Marie and Sarah, who died in infancy.
A family graveside service will be held in Glendale Cemetery at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, July 5, 2022.
In honor of Jim’s lifetime commitment to education and the generations of students whose writing and thinking skills he shaped, memorial contributions can be directed to the student scholarship funds at Des Moines East, North, or Lincoln.
Joseph Toubes
07/05/2022
I had Mr. Wickham when I was a student at North High in 1963. He taught me how to express my thoughts into written prose. I took those tools he gave me all through my teaching life, and masters degree. He was fair, available if you needed help and knew how to teach. We could use more of him nowadays. May the Lord, bless him, shelter him and give him the honor he so deserves.
Michelle Buttram
07/05/2022
My deepest condolences and love for a wonderful man. You can hear the wonderful stories from his kids and grandkids, but just reading his life in words was utterly impressive. His son Grant and wife Nancy loved him so much. And I know his grandchildren absolutely adored him!!! Talk about a blessing to be able to say, "That's my Grandpa!". I wish his granddaughter Angela's 4 kids: Marvin, Abigail, Lukah, and Eric would have been able to spend more time with him being such a loving, kind, compassionate, and educated and great man.I think he'd be very proud of how well his Granddaughter Angela is doing and along with the progress her 4 kids are doing. Especially his Great-Granddaughter who is now serving in the Navy watching the service via streaming from out of country form the ship. Would make the annual Army-Navy game even more fun!
Prayers to the entire Wickham family plus much love to Grant, Linda, their kids and grandchildren.You were definitely Blessed and loved. Sincerely, Michelle and family from CA
Ashley Bordelon
07/05/2022
I love you Grandpa. I'll always and forever cherish our days out on the town. I'm so sorry.
Nancy Wickham
07/04/2022
I was fortunate to have Jim as my English teacher at Lincoln High School my senior year and a later as my Father-In-Law. My condolences to Susan and his children and grandchildren. You will be missed and I will miss our little phone chats. Love you.
Janis McCollum
07/03/2022
Mr. Wickham was a gifted teacher. I was fortunate to have him for two years at North High School. He taught me how to write a proper essay which I think was worth a full grade point in college. From the introduction, body, and conclusion to underlining topic sentences and circling transitions, he walked us step-by-step through the art of writing. Along the way, life lessons were also imparted. My condolences to his family and friends. Janis McCollum, Class of 1967
Linda Clayton Westergaard
07/03/2022
Jim was my teacher at North High and I later reacquainted with Jim through our involvement in the neighborhood associations. Jim was truly knowledgeable, and we had several good conversations about neighborhood issues. Jim was also present at multiple city meetings, and I would always seek his advice and wisdom about what he thought.
Phillip M. Sams
07/03/2022
Condolences to Susan and the family of James Wickham.
I consider myself fortunate to have taken English classes with Mr. Wickham at North High. He taught me to see the purpose of writing and communicating thoughts, not just the rules of grammar. His exuberance carried through each of his classes and engaged all of us with the worth of our own ideas. I learned how to better express myself because of him. Thank you, Mr. Wickham. Phil Sams -Class of 67.
Leota M. Lipovac
07/03/2022
I was a student of Mr. Wickham during the period he taught English at North High School. His classes, in my memory, were taught in such a way as to give insight and understanding to other areas of life. I have and will continue to think highly of him and I share the pain of his loss with you.
Leota M. Lipovac (Teale)
Kathleen Lamb
07/03/2022
To the family of Mr.Wickham so sorry for your loss I never had him as a teacher but I know he would say hi to me when I seen him in the hallways at Lincoln high school my prayers are with him and his family
Robert Robinson
07/02/2022
Mr. Wickham was an awesome teacher! I have taken his lessons with me through life. Rest in Peace, Mr. Wickham.
Robert W. Robinson North High 1967
Patricia Zimmer
07/01/2022
He was my favorite teacher and he understood me. I invited him to my wedding and he came, I was so happy to see him. We would see each other when I worked at younkers. Rest well Mr. Wickham
Gary Anderson
06/30/2022
I have cherished his friendship for many years. My favorite cousin. My parents loved him and his brother John so much. They always told me they wished for me to be like him.
Cindi De Meyer
06/29/2022
I was fortunate to have been a student in Mr. Wickhams English Class my tenth grade year at LHS. I remember well the high expectations he held each of us to as well as his kind smile and wonderful sense of humor. Now an educator myself I count Mr. Wickham among one of my most influential educators. Thank you to his family for sharing him with all of us.
Sue Sundal
06/29/2022
A.K.A. Salmon Patty Sue, as called by Mr. Wickham at Lincoln I think in 82, maybe 83. He was an excellent English teacher and a very nice man. I enjoyed his class and he had a great sense of humor. I hope many had great experiences with him as a teacher. Im sure his personal friends and family will miss his wit and kind ways.
Shirley Corkhill
06/29/2022
Jim was an English teacher at ALHS when I came into the English department. I soon learned that he was a very respected English and 10th grade Expository Writing teacher. The expectations he had of his students were very high and they rose to the mark! He not only helped make grammarians out of his students but a love of the written word also emerged from them. Students and staff will long remember Jim for his sense of caring. Rest in peace, Mr. Wickham!