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James Edward Perham
03/17/1936 — 06/03/2024
From Gloversville, NY | Born in Pasco, WA
Graveside Inurnment
James Edward Perham
James Edward Parham passed away peacefully on June 3rd, 2024.
He was born on March 17th, 1936 to Elmer and Ruth Perham in Gloversville, New York.
In 1945 while attending school, James began delivering milk for the Washburne Dairy in Gloversville. By 1948 at just 12 years of age, James was working 40 hours a week as long as he stayed out of sight when the inspectors were on site. James continued working at the dairy until he graduated at Gloversville Highschool in June of 1954.
James later enlisted in the United States Airforce on December 30th, 1954. While stationed in Denver, Colorado he met the love of his life, Joan C. Perham. They married in Sandpoint, Idaho on June 14th, 1956. James was stationed at Westover AFB in Massachusetts in the ’99 bombing D&D and S&E maintenance (SAC). Serving during the Korean war, James and Joan had 3 children; 2 boys and 1 girl while stationed at Westover. James was honorably discharged with rank of SSGT on January 17th, 1961.
James moved his family to Sandpoint, Idaho and attended college while working several part time jobs. On January 20th, 1963, James began working at the Hanford Nuclear Reservation as a Nuclear Chemical Operator. In 1967, James and Joan welcome the birth of their fourth child, a son, at Kadlec hospital in Richland, Washington.
James retired as Tank Farm Manager at Hanford in 1997, and then began to work for Richland Lutheran Church in 1998. During this time, James and Joan adopted their granddaughter. James retired from Richland Lutheran Church in 2007.
James loved God and his family more than anything. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and fixing anything broken and loved teaching Sunday School. He stayed busy tinkering and telling his endless supply of dad jokes until the end.
James is survived by his sons Daniel Perham, David Perham, Dean Perham, and daughter Sharon Holden, 12 grandchildren, and 5 great grandchildren, his siters Katherine Cassaro, Judy Lane, Sharon Clemans, Donna Miller, Andrea Albanese, Elizabeth Van Evera, brother Theodore Perham and Christopher Perham.
James is preceded in death by his wife, Joan C Perham and his parents Elmer and Ruth Perham.
Though James may be gone, his spirit will forever shine brightly in the hearts of all who knew him, may he rest in peace.
Jim was for years older . We had our separate lives but I remember the times sledding down Wilson Street hill on the huge sled we had. Playing on a nearby hill, building forts, picking strawberries and blackberries.
After Jim enlisted we saw very little of each other. a couple of visits at a holiday. He returned to Gloversville once after retiring. That was the last time we were together. We talked several times on the phone at which time he would tell me some of the endless Dad jokes that he knew.
I will miss him. Just knowing that he is no longer with us is going to leave an empty space in my life.
My Deepest Sympathies to the entire Perham Family on the passing of Jim.
I had the pleasure of working for and with Jim during his Tank Farm days and was forever grateful for all he taught me and enjoyed his friendship immensely.
Jim’s sense of humor was typically on display and it was always great when I’d bump into him from time to time around town.
Rest in Peace my friend 🙏💙🙏
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James Edward Perham