James O. Jeltema

James Owen Jeltema was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan on April 20, 1927 to Anthony and Hattie Jeltema. His family moved to Denver, Colorado when Jim was 8 years old due to his father’s health problems. He attended Denver Christian Schools and South High School. After high school he served in the U.S. Navy.

He grew up in South Denver and spent many hours on the playground at Grant Junior High School with the neighborhood Dutch kids and his future wife, Lorraine. They were married on June 15, 1948 and were married 64 years. Jim was a Father to four children, Dean (deceased), Carl, Randy and Sandy. He was a Grandfather to Jeremiah, Ryan, Brenna and Jason. And he was Pop to Kennette and Tom Swaroff. He was a Brother-In-Law to Dottie Jeltema and Shirley Vander Vliet and an Uncle to numerous nieces and nephews.

He was an electrician by trade and retired after 55 years. He sang in “The Chordsmen” Gospel Quartet for over 30 years and could still be heard singing along with the Gospel music on his computer in the weeks before he passed away. 

He will be greatly missed by his family and friends, but we rejoice that he can now breathe freely, sing loudly and walk with Jesus on the golden streets of Heaven.