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Jim Brockman Obituary

Jim Brockman

It is with profound sadness that our family shares the news of Jim Brockman's passing on January 10, 2021. Jim passed away at Eisenhower Hospital in Rancho Mirage, CA as a result of complications from COVID-19.

Jim was born in Festus, MO July 19, 1942 but spent most of his youth in Lee's Summit, MO. In high school, he was a basketball standout. In 1960, he attended Southern Methodist University (SMU) on a full basketball scholarship and graduated in 1964 with a degree in Business Administration. Jim met the love of his life, his wife, Mary Beth, at SMU.

After graduating SMU, Jim worked in the food brokerage business. During this time, Jim and Marybeth had three sons, Jeff, Craig and Scott. In 1977, along with his partner, Jim became the Coors Beer Distributor in Kansas City. In 1985, Jim and his family moved to Lake Oswego, OR and bought United Beer Distribution. Jim worked in the beer business until retirement. He was influential and knowledgeable; often advising various politicians in Washington, D.C., concerning the many issues and intricacies of this business. Jim was active in many charities and was especially fond of coaching youth sports.

After Jim's retirement, Jim and Mary Beth moved to La Quinta, California. Jim enjoyed golf, music, collegiate sports, and organizing gatherings with his many friends. Jim and Mary Beth were married for 56 years. Jim is survived by his wife, Mary Beth, his sons, Jeff and Craig, his daughter-in-law, Liz (married to Jeff) and his grandson, Peter. He will be greatly missed by his family and many friends.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Desert Sun from Jan. 15 to Jan. 24, 2021.

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Peter Williams

July 31, 2024

Spoke to Jim a week before he died. At that time he told me he had covid. I have been trying to get Mary Beth´s phone number to call her and see how she is doing. Jim was a good friend I met at SMU and at times visited me in Chicago. He was a great basketball player at SMU and continued to play well into his 60´s RIP

Jim Smith

December 3, 2023

Jim and I played basketball together at SMU and my future wife and I double dated with Jim & Mary Beth while in school.
A few years ago, Jim & Mary Beth visited us in Oakland while they were migrating from Lake Oswego to Rancho Mirage for the winter.
Jim and Mary Beth were great people and Jim will always be in my thoughts. His only fault was that he never passed the ball.

Jim & Sharon Smith

Group of 10 Memorial Trees

Linda and Rob Maletis

Planted Trees

Mike and Linda Jones

January 25, 2021

Jim was a true friend to many, liked by all and fun to be around! His golf game was the opposite of his outstanding basketball record but that was secondary to his enthusiasm and chatter! May he Rest In Peace but only after he makes a few three pointers up there!

Carol Johnston

January 20, 2021

So sorry to hear of Jim's passing. We worked together both at United Beverage and later at Mt. Hood Beverage, in Portland. Mary Beth, you, Jeff and Craig are all in my thoughts.

Marilyn Brockman Weld

January 19, 2021

I knew Jim in high school. I graduated from Southeast in 1963. Although we were not cousins, that we know of, later in life he would call me cuz. My husband and I owned I70 Speedway in Odessa, Mo Jim was our Coors Beer Distributor. Jim painted, the first time ever, Coors Beer can on our water tower that was in the infield of our Race Track. I think they painted many more Cans at sporting facilities after that.

Jim was a delightful guy and I cherished his friendship.

So sorry for your loss of a good man way too early.

Marilyn Weld
5241 West 151 Terrace
Leawood, KS. 66224

Duane & Janice Franklin

January 19, 2021

Prayers for the family in the loss of Jim. He was instrumental in getting my son to love sports. He spent lots of time with the neighborhood children throwing balls to them. May he RIP.

Jay Roberts

January 18, 2021

Jim and I were first of all good friends in the late 50's and 1960. We were MYF members when we met. I played BB for Grandview-He for Lee's Summit and we had many a contest against and with each other. I have thought about him many times during these years past and the times we shared. He will always be remembered by me as the best basketball player that I ever played against. My Regards to the family. I know how much he will be missed by all. Jay Roberts

Frank Bumstead

January 17, 2021

Jim and I played basketball together for 4 years at SMU.
Jim was a fine person and was married to an equally outstanding person, Mary Beth.
I am much saddened by his passing. He will be an outstanding Angel.

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