By Bruce Rolfe
Jim Longman enjoyed giving to his family, his community, and serving God.
A short, but accurate summary of a man many are remembering as an amazing person.
Longman, 93, passed away on Christmas in Kalamazoo.
He was born on November 28, 1932, in Climax, to the late Merle James and Madge Arlene (Roe) Longman.
In 1951 he graduated from Climax High School, where he met Charlene VanTichelt. They were married on October 7, 1951.
Longman’s obituary states he and Charlene built a life centered around family and community. A very accurate statement.
“He was a straight shooter and wanted to help everybody. He was an extremely strong patriot, family man and Christian,” said Jim and Charlene’s son Gary Longman.
While his own children, grandchildren and great grandchildren were impacted by the long time Climax resident, he impacted others over the course of his life.
“Grandpa showed me how to be honest and give grace and patience. He was both my basketball and softball coach at different times and had a way with teaching kids at all levels without making someone feel behind or less than other members of the team. He taught us all that we had a place,” said Longman’s granddaughter Miranda Bishop.
Bishop said she was always impressed how her grandfather volunteered and worked hard helping neighbors, youth athletic teams and the school district after putting in a full day of work at his regular job.
“He taught us to give as much as we can and that you will reap what you sow always. He taught me never to be anxious because God is always with us and going before us. His faith was immeasurable and always made me feel calm when I heard his voice on the phone or saw him in person,” adds Bishop.
Miranda said her grandfather only had good things to say about everyone. Even those “who had wronged him, he believed and knew had a purpose and would not talk badly about them.”
“There are so many qualities my grandpa had that I don’t see as much in people anymore. He always inspired me to be better than I was yesterday. Look to God, treat everyone with love, respect and decency and work hard on this side of heaven,” adds Bishop.
Longman was involved in the community throughout his life.
His obituary notes he contributed to the construction of several local buildings and the Climax-Scotts baseball field. However his biggest contribution may have been his significant leadership role helping construct the current Climax-Scotts football stadium that opened in 1991, joining almost 100 volunteers from the community.
“The football stadium was probably the biggest volunteer project the Climax-Scotts area has ever had. It was incredible. He loved doing that and giving when he could,” said Jim and Charlene’s son, Gary Longman.
His ambition to be involved in the community and help others impressed many.
“Our community lost one of its best. Jim Longman raised a wonderful family and still found the time to have a positive impact on the lives of others. Whether it was youth sports, Church or the Lodge, Jim’s encouragement helped shape others to a higher level of success,” said longtime Climax resident Mark Sinclair.
Longtime C-S School District employee and former wrestling coach Jim Wade recalls working beside Longman for many hours during the construction process of the new C-S football stadium.
“A fantastic man and very talented person who I looked up to. (He) taught me life lessons. We will dearly miss him,” said Wade.
Gary said when he was born his father was working two or three jobs to support his family.
Gary said when his father started working as a millwright for the Kellogg Company, he was able to scale back some and only needed to work one job to support his family.
However he continued to use his extra time helping others and his family.
“He was a hard worker and he did a lot of things for a lot of people when it came to helping them to their repairs,” recalled Gary.
Gary said his father built five houses of his own and helped his children build several other houses.
He embraced the opportunity to have a positive impact on youth no matter what his age was. He enjoyed coaching youth programs, coaching all of his children at various age levels.
As Jim aged, his impact continued. Later in life he served as a C-S JV girls basketball coach and girls JV softball coach at C-S.
He also enjoyed playing sports, playing on a mens softball team into his 80s.
His faith guided him throughout life. He was proud to belong to the Climax Rotary Club, Climax Prairie Lodge #59, Battle Creek Shrine Club, Saladin Temple Shrine, Boy Scouts, his church, and several other service organizations.
A memorial service was held on January 8 at the Climax United Methodist Church.
Jim Longman enjoyed giving to his family, his community, and serving God.
A short, but accurate summary of a man many are remembering as an amazing person.
Longman, 93, passed away on Christmas in Kalamazoo.
He was born on November 28, 1932, in Climax, to the late Merle James and Madge Arlene (Roe) Longman.
In 1951 he graduated from Climax High School, where he met Charlene VanTichelt. They were married on October 7, 1951.
Longman’s obituary states he and Charlene built a life centered around family and community. A very accurate statement.
“He was a straight shooter and wanted to help everybody. He was an extremely strong patriot, family man and Christian,” said Jim and Charlene’s son Gary Longman.
While his own children, grandchildren and great grandchildren were impacted by the long time Climax resident, he impacted others over the course of his life.
“Grandpa showed me how to be honest and give grace and patience. He was both my basketball and softball coach at different times and had a way with teaching kids at all levels without making someone feel behind or less than other members of the team. He taught us all that we had a place,” said Longman’s granddaughter Miranda Bishop.
Bishop said she was always impressed how her grandfather volunteered and worked hard helping neighbors, youth athletic teams and the school district after putting in a full day of work at his regular job.
“He taught us to give as much as we can and that you will reap what you sow always. He taught me never to be anxious because God is always with us and going before us. His faith was immeasurable and always made me feel calm when I heard his voice on the phone or saw him in person,” adds Bishop.
Miranda said her grandfather only had good things to say about everyone. Even those “who had wronged him, he believed and knew had a purpose and would not talk badly about them.”
“There are so many qualities my grandpa had that I don’t see as much in people anymore. He always inspired me to be better than I was yesterday. Look to God, treat everyone with love, respect and decency and work hard on this side of heaven,” adds Bishop.
Longman was involved in the community throughout his life.
His obituary notes he contributed to the construction of several local buildings and the Climax-Scotts baseball field. However his biggest contribution may have been his significant leadership role helping construct the current Climax-Scotts football stadium that opened in 1991, joining almost 100 volunteers from the community.
“The football stadium was probably the biggest volunteer project the Climax-Scotts area has ever had. It was incredible. He loved doing that and giving when he could,” said Jim and Charlene’s son, Gary Longman.
His ambition to be involved in the community and help others impressed many.
“Our community lost one of its best. Jim Longman raised a wonderful family and still found the time to have a positive impact on the lives of others. Whether it was youth sports, Church or the Lodge, Jim’s encouragement helped shape others to a higher level of success,” said longtime Climax resident Mark Sinclair.
Longtime C-S School District employee and former wrestling coach Jim Wade recalls working beside Longman for many hours during the construction process of the new C-S football stadium.
“A fantastic man and very talented person who I looked up to. (He) taught me life lessons. We will dearly miss him,” said Wade.
Gary said when he was born his father was working two or three jobs to support his family.
Gary said when his father started working as a millwright for the Kellogg Company, he was able to scale back some and only needed to work one job to support his family.
However he continued to use his extra time helping others and his family.
“He was a hard worker and he did a lot of things for a lot of people when it came to helping them to their repairs,” recalled Gary.
Gary said his father built five houses of his own and helped his children build several other houses.
He embraced the opportunity to have a positive impact on youth no matter what his age was. He enjoyed coaching youth programs, coaching all of his children at various age levels.
As Jim aged, his impact continued. Later in life he served as a C-S JV girls basketball coach and girls JV softball coach at C-S.
He also enjoyed playing sports, playing on a mens softball team into his 80s.
His faith guided him throughout life. He was proud to belong to the Climax Rotary Club, Climax Prairie Lodge #59, Battle Creek Shrine Club, Saladin Temple Shrine, Boy Scouts, his church, and several other service organizations.
A memorial service was held on January 8 at the Climax United Methodist Church.
Pictured (left to right) are Jim Wade, Jim Longman, Rick Stuck, Bill Soule helping construct the new C-S football stadium in 1991.
(Photo by Bruce Rolfe)
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