James Robert Beam entered eternal rest on March 12, 2026, at his home in Irvine, California, surrounded by his loving family. Born on August 22, 1933, to Ruby and Homer Beam, Jim entered the world in his grandparents’ farmhouse in Story County, Iowa.

Jim was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Janet Eleanor Thorp, and his sister, Jane Ruth Schoon (Ronald). He is survived by his brother Craig Beam (Sharon), his sister Linda Carlton (Terry) and his four children: Michael James Beam (Stacy), Cynthia Rae Eurich (Eric), Jill Renae Prickett (Steve), and David Robert Beam (Jenny). Jim was the proud grandfather of six grandchildren; Katelyn Beam, Karyn Kuti, Brian Eurich, Caleb Beam, Kaiden Prickett, Gretchen Prickett and great granddaughter Avery Kuti.

Jim spent his formative years on the family farm in Iowa Falls with his parents and three siblings. He attended the oneroom schoolhouse in Lee Center, which still stands today. Jim graduated from Iowa Falls High School in 1951 and in 1954, he enlisted in the United States Army. Jim was stationed at Fort Sheridan, Illinois prior to being transferred to an Army base near Stuttgart, Germany, where he served as a heavy equipment operator. Jim was honorably discharged in July 1955.

Upon his return home, Jim enrolled in Ellsworth Junior College. It was then that he met Barbara Hansen. The two were married in 1957 and resided in Iowa Falls. In the spring of 1960, seeking new opportunities, and with their young son Michael, they headed west to California. They found a home in Long Beach where Jim soon found work at a local auto parts store. Their daughter Cindy was born in 1961 and in 1963, the family relocated to Lakewood, California, where Jim began his long career as a readymix truck driver. Though Jim and Barbara later divorced, they remained connected through their two children.

In the late 1960’s, a mutual friend introduced Jim to Janet Thorp, a U.S. Navy nurse veteran and also from Iowa Falls. They soon realized they had found their lifelong partner and were married in 1970. The two settled in Cypress, California where they welcomed their daughter Jill in 1973 and their son David in 1975. The family later moved to Irvine, where Jim continued driving readymix trucks until his retirement in 1992.

Jim’s greatest joy was his children, grandchildren and great-granddaughter, especially the times when everyone gathered at his home. He treasured frequent trips back to Iowa to reconnect with family and lifelong friends, always preferring the open road and the scenery along the way. Fishing was another of Jim’s great passions. Whether spending a day on the ocean, casting a line at a local lake, or embarking on fishing adventures in Canada with his Midwest family and friends, he cherished every moment.

Known for his generous spirit and remarkable ability to fix nearly anything, Jim was always the first to lend a hand. He believed in repairing rather than replacing, and even in retirement, he rarely sat still, always helping someone who needed him.

Jim’s life was defined by his selfless service, humility, and love towards others. His steady hands, kind heart, and unwavering devotion to family and friends will be deeply missed and forever remembered.