James Michael Lam

The late 1960s were a turbulent time in the U.S., but in Holland, Michigan, a young family joyfully welcomed their first child, James Michael Lam, born on November 18, 1967 to Cheryl and Don. Three short years later their family was complete with the arrival of Jim’s much loved younger sister Melinda.

Jim was an inquisitive child, always asking questions, and always wanting to learn more. His mother nurtured his early love of learning and his early love of pets-especially cats.

Jim developed a lifelong love of reading and learning. This helped Jim excel throughout his school years and also led him to being a great conversationalist. Jim could talk about almost any subject with anyone. He had a wide range of interests- anything from physics, to botany, to urban fantasy, to theology, and so much more.

Jim also had a genuine interest in every person he met. He was interested in each person's story. He knew how to ask questions to learn what makes each person tick. This was a trait that colored Jim's whole perspective-he genuinely cared about others, about their well being, and about their happiness.

Growing up Jim enjoyed camping and trips with his family, and all of the time he spent with his grandparents, aunts and uncles, and many cousins.

Jim was very active in scouting in his youth, his father being a scoutmaster, was a great way for them to bond. During his time in scouting- Jim achieved the rank of Eagle Scout.

While working at Russ' for forty years, Jim made many lifelong friends. The friendships made the work worthwhile. Jim also helped his dad with his dad's beekeeping business-from helping with the computer side of the business, to driving to pick up bees in Georgia, and even suiting up to help with beekeeping.

In 2002, Jim reconnected with Terri Rowe, and over the next several years their friendship grew into love and they were married on March 10, 2006. Jim not only loved and cared for Terri, he lovingly embraced and cared for her whole family, especially her parents.

Jim was preceded in death by his grandparents-John and Seena Lam, Herbert and Hazel Paeth, and Gerrit and Fenna Loedeman, his aunt Marilyn Rynbrandt, his uncle Bruce Ming, his uncle James Ludens, his aunt Ruth Tyink, his nephew Elijah Gerdes, and his father and mother in law-William and Kathleen Rowe.

Jim is survived by his wife Terri Kelly Rowe, his parents-Don and Jean Lam, and Cheryl and Tom Lohman, his sister and brother in law-Melinda and Mark Gerdes, his uncle Michael Paeth, his aunt Karen Ming, his aunt Judith Ludens, all his dear cousins, his niece Emily (Jamie) Shaull, and nephews- Benjamin (Maggie) Gerdes, Jonathan Gerdes, and Andrew Gerdes, and his brothers and sister in law-William Rowe, Timothy Rowe, and Kimberley Rowe, and dear family friends Neena and Joel Woodward, Eliza and Amelia.

In Lieu of flowers, the family would ask you to consider donating to one of the following organizations:

The American Heart Association - https://www.heart.org/

The Harbor Humane Society - https://www.hswestmi.org/

Crash's Landing - https://www.crashslanding.org/

There will be a visitation for Jim at Christ Memorial Church in the chapel on Saturday January 31 at 10:00 AM, the funeral service is at 11:00, and a luncheon is to follow. 595 Graafschap Road, Holland, MI. 49423.