James “Jim” Branam
James “Jim” Branam
Cedar Rapids
James “Jim” Branam, 86, of Cedar Rapids, IA passed away on Tuesday, September 10, 2024, at home. A visitation will be from 3:00 to 4:00 pm on Saturday, September 14, 2024, at St. Mark’s United Methodist Church: 4700 Johnson Ave NW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52405. A memorial service will be held after at 4:00 pm on Saturday, September 14, 2024, at the church.
Jim was born in Bloomington, IN on May 9, 1938. He was the eldest child of Walter Herman Branam and Thelma Viola Stogsdill Branam. Jim graduated from General Motors Institute (GMI) now Kettering University in 1960, with a bachelor’s degree in
Industrial Engineering. He later attended the University of Iowa and in 1982, graduated at the top of his class with a Master of Business Administration degree.
On July 29, 1972, he married the love of his life, Cleota “Tobi” Gawthrop Branam. They had two children, Brian (1975) and Bradley (1978).
After graduating from GMI Jim worked at the Chevrolet Engineering Center in Warren, MI. As a hobby while living in Michigan he raced sports cars and won an invitation to the first Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) National Championship “Runoffs” in 1964 at Riverside, CA. He later left General Motors and worked for McCord (an auto parts supplier) in Detroit. Later McCord transferred him to Washington, IN. While working in Detroit, the wife of a coworker introduced him to a wonderful young lady named Tobi who would become his wonderful wife and mother of his two sons.
While working in Washington, IN Jim took a job with Lockwood Corporation (a specialized farm equipment manufacturer) in Gering, NE. While living close to Wyoming and Colorado Jim and Tobi enjoyed many camping and hiking trips in the mountains.
In 1978 Jim took a job with Rockwell International here in Cedar Rapids, IA. The family stayed in Cedar Rapids for the rest of his life. He retired from Rockwell and passed the IRS exam to become an Enrolled Agent. Jim then owned and operated his own Tax, Accounting, and Investment business from his home.
Jim is survived by his two sons, Brian Branam of Cedar Rapids, IA; Bradley Branam (Erika Backstrom) of Eugene, OR; a sister, Marybeth Dowden of Kokomo, IN; and loving nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family members.
Jim was preceded by his wife, parents, and a brother-in-law William Dowden of Kokomo, IN.
Memorials may be made to St. Mark’s United Methodist church in memory of Jim.
Online condolences may be directed to the family at www.cedarmemorial.com under Obituaries.