- Date Of Birth: July 16, 1927
- Date Of Death: August 17, 2022
- State: North Carolina
After the war, Jim studied at the Milwaukee School of Engineering for his profession as electrical engineer, eventually serving for a time as president of the East Carolina Illuminating Engineering Society.
On September 1, 1952, Jim married the late Grace Arena Bonderer at Holy Angels Church in Sandusky. They soon moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where they had six children.
Jim had many interests throughout his long life. He was serious about his faith, his country, and his family but he had a fun and mischievous side, well documented in the entertaining memoirs he began writing many years ago that bring much of his vast genealogy work to life.
He was active in the Boy Scouts as a boy, and became a Scout Leader as an adult. Camping did not end with Scouts as Jim constructed an enormous tent for his family of eight to enjoy for years. Later, he enjoyed travelling by RV with his grandchildren.
A strong and abiding faith sustained Jim throughout his long life, beginning with his service as an altar boy, choir participation as a young adult, and finally putting the experience of his long career to use in the design and construction of his beloved Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in North Carolina.
Jim loved so many friends it is impossible to name them all, but special mention must be made of honorary family for over 65 years Mary and Gary Wolfe of Grafton, Wisconsin.
He was preceded in death by his wife Grace A. Busam, son Kurt C. Busam, grandson Matthew Busam, brother William E. Busam, and sister Joan G. Little.
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis TN 38105
VFW National Home for Children, 3573 South Waverly Road, Eaton Rapids, MI 48827
Holy Redeemer Catholic Church, P.O. Box 1232 Apex, NC 27502
