James William Bevan passed away peacefully at the age of 90 on Monday, December 23, 2024 at Tiffany Springs Senior Living Community, Kansas City, Missouri, lovingly surrounded by family. He had moved and resided there for the last six weeks, to be closer to family.
Jim was born in Albia on September 24, 1934, the only child of William and Ruth James Bevan. He graduated from Albia High School in 1953 and went on to attend the University of Iowa, where he graduated from the College of Pharmacy in 1958.
Jim was united in marriage to the love of his life, Sally Mae Langerud on September 8, 1957. They settled in Ottumwa where Jim worked at and later went on to buy, McWilliams Drug. He and his partner ran the store for 37 years before retiring in 1995. Jim and Sally had three children and enjoyed 59 years together in Ottumwa. They spent many retirement winters in Fort Myers, Florida with many Ottumwa friends as well as traveling abroad.
Upon becoming empty nesters, Jim and Sally purchased a lot at Lake Thunderhead near Unionville, Missouri. They camped there with the kids and eventually built a home on the property, which became a place of summer enjoyment for the whole family. They owned the lake home for 33 years and made it an annual gathering place every 4th of July for their children and grandchildren. Dad loved his time at the lake and spent as much time as he could there fishing and boating with friends and family.
Family was everything to Jim—they always came first and he was most happy when surrounded by them. He enjoyed his grandchildren and great-grandchildren with passion. He was a loving man and unafraid to express it.
Jim’s friends were important to him, too. He stayed in touch and got together annually with a group of men with whom he grew up and graduated from Albia High School. Jim met his local friends for coffee several mornings a week until a year ago.
Jim had a humble and generous heart, giving of his time to the local food pantry and donating generously to First Presbyterian Church, Indian Hills Foundation, Tenco, NAS Foundation, Bridgeview Center, as well as St. Jude’s Hospital and The University of Iowa Cancer Center Fund. He started every day with a rousing “Good Morning!! Isn’t it a wonderful day?” He would talk to anyone and did; he never knew a stranger for long. Jim will be greatly missed by all who were lucky enough to know him.
Jim was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Ottumwa and the Iowa Pharmaceutical Association since 1958.
Jim is survived by his three children: Julie Gorman of North Richland Hills, Texas, Jon (Ann) Bevan of Kansas City, Missouri, and Jim Bevan Jr. of Blue Springs, Missouri; four grandchildren: Cassie (Johnny) Mendoza of North Richland Hills, Texas, Joe (Alexandra) Gorman of Aubrey, Texas, Lauren Bevan of Camarillo, California, and Alexis Bevan of Kansas City, Missouri; two great-grandchildren: Abigail Mendoza and Juan Mendoza Jr., and one brother-in-law: David Langerud of Blaine, Minnesota.
Preceding him in death were his wife, Sally Bevan, on September 9, 2016; son-in-law Kevin Gorman; brothers-in-law Calmer Langerud, Duane Langerud and Ernie Langerud.
His body has been cremated. Visitation with the family present to greet friends will be 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, January 10th at Reece Funeral Home.
Memorial services will be 10 a.m. Saturday, January 11th at First Presbyterian Church with Pastor Nancy Cameron officiating. Inurnment will be in Oakview Cemetery in Albia.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to First Presbyterian Church of Ottumwa. Cards for the family may be sent to Jon Bevan, 333 W. 46th Terrace, #301, Kansas City, Missouri 64112.
