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July 11, 1919 - December 27, 2014 OKLAHOMA CITY John Martin Quam, 95, died Dec. 27, 2014, surrounded by family at Mercy Hospital in Oklahoma City, following a short illness. Mr. Quam was born July 11, 1919, the second of seven children, to Walter Quam and Bess Quam, nee Anderson, in Fargo, ND and graduated from Fargo High School before going to work for meatpacker Armour & Co. On New Year's Eve 1941, Mr. Quam joined the Army Air Corps and saw duty in the South Pacific throughout World War II. Mr. Quam liked to tell the story of sailing from the United States to Australia in the cruise liner Queen Mary, which had been converted to a troop carrier. He noted his hammock did not include the accommodations of the liner's luxury cruising days. Among his various duties during the war, Mr. Quam was assigned to the mess hall, where he developed a lifelong love of cooking -- especially meat. He was often consulted by friends for the best way to prepare beef, lamb and pork. He did not think highly of chicken. The evening he was struck by his last illness, Mr. Quam had prepared dinner for his special friend, Lois Daniels. After the war, Tech. Sgt. Quam returned to Armour & Co. and on Aug. 5, 1947, married Dolores Prichard. They were married nearly 55 years until Mrs. Quam's death Aug. 3, 2002. Mr. and Mrs. Quam raised three daughters, who survive him. His daughters are Claudia Scribner (Edward), of Oklahoma City; Jonel Dickey (Joe Don), of El Reno and Frederick; and Betsy Martin (Morey Villareal), of Tulsa. Mr. Quam is also survived by two grandchildren, John Scribner (Adrienne), of Arlington, VA; and Tony Martin, of Tulsa; as well as three great-grandchildren. Mr. Quam is also survived by two brothers, Fred Quam, of Fargo, ND; and Robert Quam, of Horseshoe Bay, TX; and his only sister, Pat Score, of Bloomington, MN. During his time with Armour & Co., Mr. Quam was posted to locations throughout the United States and learned the cattle business. In 1960, he and his family moved to Frederick, OK, where he and a partner built and operated Coake & Quam Feedyard, a commercial cattle-feeding operation. He served southwest Oklahoma as a state transportation commissioner, appointed by Gov. Henry Bellmon in 1987 and serving until 1991. He also served as a deacon and elder for the First Presbyterian Church in Frederick, which he and his family joined because the area had no church for Lutherans, the faith in which he was baptized as a child. After retirement, Mr. and Mrs. Quam moved to Oklahoma City in 1995. They enjoyed playing duplicate bridge, a pursuit Mr. Quam continued after his wife's death, saying it and crossword puzzles helped keep his mental faculties sharp. The Quams also spent summers enjoying fishing and gardening in Detroit Lakes, MN, about an hour's drive from his childhood home of Fargo. A Memorial Service will be conducted at 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 3 at the Hahn-Cook/Street & Draper Chapel, 6600 N. Broadway Extension, Oklahoma City. Inurnment will occur at Riverside Cemetery in Fargo, ND after the ground thaws from the winter freeze, in the tradition of Mr. Quam's Scandinavian forebears. Memorials are not expected, but if anyone would like to make a memorial, the family suggests donations may be made to the charity of the giver's choice or for stroke research to the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, 825 NE 13th St, Oklahoma City 73104 (omrf.org/gifts).
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
We remember his proud tending of his tomatoes and his apple tree
We will miss his easy and calm demeanor
He always had enough time for all of us
He counter-balanced some of the frenetic activity that defines many of us next door
His soft and gentle voice and calming pace reminded me of my grandfather
We saw him as the king of the screened porch - with an open door policy for all of us
His jovial and congenial spirit and mid-western sensibilities defined our time at the lake
His love of quite conversation - both listening and sharing - was never rushed or scripted
We will always remembering that he never spoke negatively about anyone and anything
We felt his enjoyment of our children..and them of him...as the happy and friendly grandpa of Elvis and somehow connected to those jelly beans!
He will be missed by all of us and remembered fondly. While we mourn his passing, we are envious of his 95 years, comforted by his lack of suffering, warmed by our memories of him, and blessed for having known him.
Love,
Scott and Tracy and Judy Jo and Cami
Scott and Tracy and Judy Jo and Cami
June 9, 2015
In Memory of John Quam
THE GENTLEMAN NEXT DOOR
He had five brothers and one sister, Pat
She had to be strong to deal with that
He graduated from Fargo High
The apple of the teacher's eye
He worked for Armour & Co. right out of school
Then joined the Army Air Corps during World War II
The military must have known he was a special fella
They put him on the Queen Mary to Australia
He learned to cook while on the Queen Mary
His long-time friends have been the beneficiary
Truth is he loves beef, lamb and pork
When it comes to chicken, he'd as soon eat a cork
John returned to Armour & Co. in 47
He married Dolores Prichard and thought he had gone to heaven
Beautiful daughters Claudia, Jonel and Betsy were their treasure
They were the products of that joint venture
John and Dolores moved to Frederick in 60
It was there Cooke & Quam had its beginning
On a commercial feed yard John fed the livestock
He fattened em up and sent them off in a truck
John retired in 95
But he didn't just try to survive
He was very vibrant and full of life
He enjoyed bridge and gardening with his wife
John Scribner and Tony Martin are John Quam's grandchildren
John and Adrienne produced three great grand-children
Michael, William and Hadley are their names
Gator driving, playing in the water and sand are their games
Summer time when they would arrive
The laughter of children made the beach come alive
John Q. enjoyed watching them upon their arrival
Lois watched and hoped for their survival
John's remaining siblings Fred, Bobby and Pat
Also deserve a tip of the hat
All we can do is offer console
To these wonderful people one and all
Living next door to John was a pleasure
He was a man's man by any measure
At 5:00 my body clock would send a signal
It was time to see John for an Old Charter and mingle
If his timely appearance on his porch was a bit late
A bit of concern would overcome our state
Usually sooner or later he would appear
We would then enjoy a whiskey or beer.
We loved his stories and many a quip
He could say things in a mixed group and never get the whip
The ladies all liked him and they thought he was cute
He played it to the limit like a fine-tuned flute
Those of us next door feared the day
We would look his way and not find him at play
We were concerned about him for 10 years or more
It was all for naught as he always came back for more
When summer comes again and John is absent
There will be a hollow feeling present
We will keep glancing in that direction
In hopes he may return from a temporary defection
Enough mourning, he would say, get on with your life
I lived long and well and passed with little strife
Over time the pain of his loss will subside
Having known John Q. will be a source of pride
I always told him he was a role model
Calm, gentle and in control
We have a choice and can choose John's way
Live life to its fullest, there may not be another day
born in Fargo, ND on July 11, 1919
passed in Oklahoma City on December 27, 2014
Friend and Neighbor Jim Herk
Jim Herk
June 9, 2015
I lived down the street in Frederick on N. 11th st. From the Quams, my sister Judy was friends with Claudia. My condolences. Jim Butler
Jim Butler
May 10, 2015
It has been over a week since mom (Johnny's only sister) and I learned of Johnny's stroke. Yesterday was his memorial service. During this time of adjusting to the realization that he will no longer be with us we have shed many tears and spent lots of time walking down memory lane both through pictures and stories. We realized we had many, many good memories of mom's brother and my uncle. We were very sad we could not be there to share them with all of you, and give you hugs of comfort.
Johnny was in a league of his own. He was caring, witty, a flirt, a chef, but always a consummate host. We were always made to feel welcome and loved. As mom and I spoke of the sorrow and loss we felt, we ended up with the following blessings that this one extraordinary 95 year old had until the end.
How Many 95 Year Olds…
* Are still driving? (Whether or not he should have been is another story…)
* Have a blowout 90th birthday party surrounded by the beauty of the lakes and family and friends, not to mention old flame Peggy Lee?
* Have happy, healthy, 98, 85 and 80 year old siblings…and warm, caring relationships with them to boot?
* Have three beautiful daughters who love and adore them, not to mention their partners, grandchildren and great-grandchildren?
* Can walk down memory lane with you like it was yesterday?
* Can do and did daily crossword puzzles?
* Take daily walks?
* Have a hot girlfriend? (Sorry Lois, his words not mine…but not a bad thing to be, by the way)
* Play bridge many times a week?
* Make lefse with their 80 and 98 year old brothers?
* Have and use cell phones?
* Are quick with a joke and laugh?
* Remember names?
* Love their evening Old Charter?
* Are considered a chef extraordinaire, whether it is steak or ribs on the grill or walleye in the pan, and whether it is for large groups of people or an intimate dinner of two or three? M-m-m-m, I can smell the ribs as I sit here….
* Are healthy until the day they die?
* Have so many people who love them and love to spend time with them?
…The only one we know of is John Martin Quam. He left a great legacy and will be greatly missed… ya sure ya betcha!
Mom said yesterday that she is missing him more every day. He was a huge presence in our lives and we will always miss him, as I know you all will.
Barbara Gross
January 7, 2015
Your dad was one of a kind... a bold and charming character! I know your memories give you strength and peace. He is with you always. Love and prayers to all.
Deynna Appler
January 3, 2015
We will miss John's bear hugs! He was a true example of warmth, kindness, and humor. Our hearts go out to the Quam family.
DelRae & Jack Chivers
DelRae Chivers
January 2, 2015
It was an honor to have met and known Johnny. Great loving man. He loved his family. Prayers for the family.
Jean and Gary Read
Jean Read
January 1, 2015
I was blessed to have worked for Johnny for ten years--he was a wonderful person and did so much for my family and all the people that worked for him. I know you girls will miss him and will always have those wonderful memories. He was "one in a million"!
Sharon Peter
December 31, 2014
I only knew Johnny Quam for seven years - but he left impressions and ideas that I will savor for the rest of my life. He was a good man who made friends so naturally and seemed to be a magnet to those around him. Most important, he contributed greatly to his family and leaves a legacy that will remain with them each day. He lighted up the life of the daughter I know best and I will always remember the glow and happiness I saw in her each time she talked with him - even on the telephone. Thanks, Johnny...
Morey Villareal
December 31, 2014
We loved Johnny! He truly loved life and his girls. Blessings to your families
Mike and Carole Kennedy
December 31, 2014
I am very sorry for your loss. May the God of all comfort be with you during this difficult time. My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort. My heartfelt condolences to the family during this time of sorrow. (1Corinthains 15:26) (Isaiah 61:1,2) Please find peace in knowing that He understands your grief and He cares. 1 Peter 5:6,
Jerry
December 31, 2014
John will be missed by his many "summer" freinds in the Northern Lakes of Minnesota....I have felt honored to have known John as he was the finest of the Greatest Generation !
Jack Chivers
December 29, 2014
All the family: Our thoughts and prayers are with you you all. Some of the best memories of my life are with your father. He was truely a great and wise man. Jon Quam and family.
December 29, 2014
Claudia... So very sorry for your loss! Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Sally
Sally Kern
December 29, 2014
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Hahn-Cook/Street & Draper Funeral Directors6600 Broadway Extension, Oklahoma City, OK 73116-1298
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