James "Bud" Edward Quam

James E. (Bud) Quam of Alexandria, Minnesota passed away peacefully on Thursday September 12, 2024. He will be deeply missed by those who knew him.

James was born on July 17, 1938 in Mantorville, Minnesota to Melvin J. and Vivian (Robison) Quam. He was a birthday surprise for his father. Shortly after his birth he was nicknamed Buddy by his big sister; she was unable to pronounce his name. He became her baby brudder Buddy and the name stayed with him throughout his life.

Bud graduated from Rochester (MN) High School in 1957. While a student he attained the rank of Eagle Scout. After graduation he enlisted in the Army, was trained as a medical corpsman and stationed at Fort Sam, Huston, Texas.

After discharge he relocated to Minneapolis and began a 32-year career at Honeywell Inc. working at several locations throughout the Twin Cities. His retirement led to a move to the lake home on Lake Ida that he and his wife purchased in 1989. This began his next round of careers. He was employed part-time at the VFW, worked full-time at the Old Broadway Food and Spirits as a bartender, and finally at Downtown/ Plaza Liquor as a sales clerk. His vast variety of careers gave him the opportunity to meet wonderful and interesting people.

In August of 2011 he was diagnosed with heart failure. In September the first of four LVAD heart pumps which ultimately gave him another 13 years to enjoy life. However, these surgeries did not come without risks. He endured multiple GI bleeds, brain bleeds and strokes.

Among the many things Bud enjoyed he was a school bus driver for special needs children and a volunteer fire fighter for Inver Grove Heights. He was an avid bowler and went to many tournaments. He enjoyed bartending, going to the casinos and travel to Las Vegas, San Antonio and New Orleans.

He was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, several aunts and uncles, brother-in-law Wayne Nelson and in-laws Betty and Al Schwartz.

He is survived by Roxy, his best friend and wife of more than 41 years, stepson John, sister Joann Nelson, her sons and their families and brother and sister-in-law Gary and Candy Schwartz, their children and families.

He will be inurned at Geneva Cemetery, Alexandria, Minnesota in a private service.

We would like to extend very special and heartfelt thanks to the Heart Failure Team and 4th Floor Nursing staff at Mpls Heart Institute at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis. Also, the doctors, nurses and emergency department staff at Alex Clinic and Alomere Hospital. And especially the wonderful, caring and compassionate staff at Hospice of Douglas County. We would never have had these 13 extra years without your care and support. May God bless all of you.