James Statum - Class of 1966

[Bob]

James Allen (Jim) Statum, age 68, passed away in Largo, Florida, on Wednesday, August 24, 2016, following a number of months with various health problems, the causes of his death were many. Jim had lived in Florida for several years. He was in a hospice facility and was kept comfortable there before passing into the ages. Jim was born on October 16, 1947, in Knoxville, TN, the sixth of six children of Margaret Anne Yates Statum and Benjamin Franklin Statum (both deceased). His brothers and sisters include(d): William Franklin (Bill) Statum (deceased); Thomas Andrew (Tom) Statum, born December 1, 1936; Benita Anne Statum Blakely (deceased); Caroline Pearl Statum Dinerman (deceased) and Mary Alice Statum Dahl, born January 6, 1946.

Jim grew up in the community of West View in Knoxville. He attended West View Elementary School and Rule Junior/Senior High School, graduating in the Class of 1966. Immediately after graduation, he entered on duty and began basic training with the U.S. Marines at Parris Island, SC. After successfully completing basic training and additional specialized training, Jim was deployed to Vietnam. There, he was the Crew Chief on a Huey, UH-1B, helicopter, delivering supplies and mail to troops in battle zones, as well as other services for troops fighting and dying for their country. Following an honorable discharge from the Marines, Jim moved to the Washington, DC, area where he lived with his brother Tom as he began his higher education at George Mason University in Fairfax, VA. He was awarded a Bachelor's Degree in Politics and Government in 1972.

While working as a civilian for the U.S. Army in Heidelberg, Germany, in 1983, Jim earned a Master's Degree in International Relations from Boston University through a distance learning program. In addition to Jim's service in the U.S. Marines, he also worked as a civilian for several different U.S. government agencies, including the U.S. Patent Office, while he was attending college; the Department of the Navy; and the U.S. Army. While working for the U.S. Army, Jim and his family lived in Heidelberg, Germany, and in Seoul, Korea. Jim had many friends when he was growing up; however, since he moved away from Knoxville following high school graduation and never lived there again, many of those friendships are now held only in the memories of the friends who may read this story of Jim's life. He always enjoyed talking about what great friends he had in his younger days. He also talked fondly about the guys he played football with in high school.

Rule wasn't one of the bigger schools in the City of Knoxville and the football squads they were able to field were smaller in number and in the size of the players. He usually played the entire game, both offense and defense, against much larger players. In his senior year, he was elected to the City of Knoxville All Star Football Team. Jim was an avid reader and especially enjoyed crime detective stories, he even tried his hand at writing in that genre. He was also a self-taught guitarist and pianist. His interest in music encompassed everything from classical, the Blues, 70s and 80s rock and roll, and country and Western. Jim loved being around his family, especially during the times they would play instruments and sing together. It never got old for any of them, especially Jim.

Jim is survived by his wife, Nancy Luchs of St. Petersburg, Florida; his son, Andrew James Statum and Andrew's fiancée, Sheila Green, both of Brooklyn, New York; his brother, Thomas Andrew Statum (wife Pam Weyland) of Lynchburg, VA and his sister, Mary Statum Dahl, of Acworth, GA.

Jim's body was cremated and, at his request, there will be no formal service. A Remembrance: When someone you love becomes a memory, the memory becomes a treasure.
Published in Knoxville News Sentinel on Sept. 18, 2016
- See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/knoxne ... W2mdP.dpuf