James Putnam

James Edward Putnam ("Jimmy") was a gentle easygoing man with an unquenchable zest for life. Whether it was making double plays with his brother John, taking in 18 holes of golf with his son David or running 15 K races with friend Mike Gray, he had fun every step of the way. Jimmy found great happiness in a life devoted to the simple foundation of family and fun. The year was 1958 and America was celebrating peace and prosperity. The wars of the past decade had ceased, and many in America were busy enjoying a life of excess. James began his life in Detroit, Michigan, on August 8, 1958. He was the fifth of six children born to Ulis and Pauline (Phyillicere) Putnam. Jimmy's dad worked at a foundry in Detroit. When the uprising of racial tensions started in 1964, Ulis Putnam decided to move his family to a more peaceful place and settled in Holland, Michigan in a house on Plasman Street. Jimmy's father had a hard time finding a job in Holland so he commuted to Detroit for 2 years until he found work closer to home. The Putnam family made many memorable Sunday drives in dad's white and blue Pontiac Desoto and later in the black Chevy. All the children learned to drive sitting on dad's legs on those Sunday drives. The Putnam house was where all the fun was in the neighborhood and everyone was welcome to join in the constant fun, even winter football games played in the yard. Jimmy was also a little mischievous as a child especially on one occasion when he got a crescent wrench stuck on his finger. He solicited his sisters', Joann and Sandy, help but to no avail, his mom and dad found out and was taken to the hospital to have the wrench removed. Jimmy attended Holland Public Schools and although he quit to join the Navy in 1975, he received his GED before enlisting. After being discharged from the Navy, Jimmy met Sallie DeWitt and romance was in the air. They married on December 27, 1980, and later they were blessed with their son, David. Unfortunately, their marriage ended in 1991, but they remained very special friends, they just couldn't live together. Jimmy and Sallie’s relationship and his love for children were so strong that Jimmy treated and considered Autumn Sallie’s daughter from a later relationship as his own daughter. Jimmy was a painter in the factory at Thermotron and later worked for Worden Furniture. Some people would say that Jimmy’s only reason to work was so that he could afford the enjoyment of his friends, family and fun in life. A 1976 light blue Monte Carlo was Jimmy's first car that he bought from his brother John. It was never real clear if Jimmy paid for the car. Big brother just couldn't take money from his little brother. Jimmy and his brother John were both very athletic and played all kinds of sports together. Softball was one of their favorite sports and they were players of slow pitch softball in Holland City Rec. League. They played on many teams throughout the years and Jimmy was the second baseman while John played short stop. They could really "wow" the crowd with their awesome double plays. They thought so much alike out on the field that they played like a well-oiled machine. When they weren't on the softball field, they were at the Holland Bowling Center every Tuesday playing on a league or taking in 18 holes at the Winding Creek Golf Course. Jimmy and John wanted to share all their favorite activities with their sons, Mike and David, in hopes that they too would appreciate these sports. So at a very young age Mike and David would tag along with their dads to softball, bowling or golf. Much to Jimmy and John's delight, their sons now carry on the tradition of playing the same sports and they even do the awesome double play that they did for years. Besides softball, bowling and golf, Jimmy also enjoyed running. He participated in 15 and 20 K races in Holland and Grand Rapids every year. He also ran for different events for good causes at Old Kent River Bank and the Pasta run in Grand Rapids. At the age of 33, Jimmy found that he was an insulin dependent diabetic. He tried every day to remain young at heart not letting his sickness slow him down. He proved this by his love for rock and roll music like AC DC, Led Zeppelin and Rolling Stone with Mick Jagger. He seemed to relate to kids better than adults and would spend hours playing the Tiger Woods game on his brother Tom’s Playstation 2. He knew just how to entice his brother Tom to join in. There were many memorable trips to Tennessee and Colorado that Jimmy and his best friend, Scott Rhoda, enjoyed together. Some of Jimmy's favorite foods were tostadas and Mexican food washed down by Diet Mountain Dew or his mother's homemade banana pudding that she served at Thanksgiving every year. Of all the wonderful things in Jimmy's life, spending time with his son and grandson, Jacob, towered above the rest. He clipped every article from the newspaper about his son's baseball games and cherished all the gifts his kids every got him. He treasured their relationship and strove to make every moment count. Jimmy lived with is mother for the last 5 years. He tenderly took care of her and she in turn kept him going. Ironically, Jimmy would die in the same house he grew up in on Plasman Street. James Edward "Jimmy" Putnam died Saturday, December 13, 2003, at his home after a long battle with diabetes. He was preceded in death by his father, Ulis Putnam, in 1997. He is survived by: his mother, Pauline Putnam, of Holland; son, David (Marisol) Putnam, of Holland, daughter, Autumn Putnam of Holland; grandson, Jacob of Holland; brothers and sisters: Jo Ann (James) Dodge of Holland, Sandy (Paul) Robitaille of Holland, John (Cindy) Putnam of Holland, Kathy (Greg) Jones of Zeeland, and Tom (Pam) Putnam of Holland; special friend, Sallie (De Witt) Putnam of Holland; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. Services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, December 18 at The Northwood Chapel, Dykstra Funeral Homes, 295 Douglas Avenue, with the Rev. Peter De Hann officiating. Burial will be in Pilgrim Home Cemetery. Visiting will be from 7-9 p.m. on Wednesday, December 17 at The Northwood Chapel. Memorials may be made to Diabetes Association of Ottawa and Allegan County. Please visit Jimmy's personal web page at www.lifestorynet.com to read his life story, leave a memory or make a memorial contribution. Jimmy was a very kind and giving man who lived life to its fullest. He has left cherished footprints on the hearts of all who knew him. He will be greatly missed