James Ijams

James Howard “Jim” Ijams

James Howard “Jim” Ijams, born January 10, 1958, passed away August 6, 2026, leaving behind a life defined by passion, independence, and a remarkable gift for making life a little more fun for everyone around him.

Jim grew up in the Quad Cities before attending Iowa State University, a place that remained close to his heart throughout his life. He ran cross country and track for Iowa State, and his years in Ames became some of his most cherished memories. He was immensely proud to be a Cyclone and always looked back fondly on his college days, the friendships he made, and the time he spent in Ames.

Running was far more than a college pursuit for Jim—it became a lifelong passion. For many years, he shared that passion as a high school coach, something that brought him tremendous joy and gave him the opportunity to pass his love of running on to a new generation. Fittingly, that passion also became intertwined with another defining part of his life: his career at Nike. Jim spent 30 years with the company and took immense pride in his work. Nike was much more than a job to him; it became a part of who he was. His wardrobe may have been simple, but you could always count on him to be wearing the latest and greatest pair of shoes.

Along with Ames, another special place in Jim’s life was Clearwater, Florida, where his beloved parents retired and spent many years. Some of his family’s happiest moments were shared there together. Days spent on the beach, at the Palm Pavilion, and on the pirate cruise were simple traditions that became treasured family memories.

Above all, Jim loved his family. He shared an especially close bond with his sister, Tonya McCormick, someone he loved with his whole heart and who was there for him through every chapter of his life. He was the father of four children, Ian Bruner, Megan Winters, Maddie Ijams, and Michael Ijams, each of whom will carry with them their own memories of their dad and all the little things that made him uniquely Jim.

Jim was independent by nature, but he had a way of leaving an impression on nearly everyone he met. He was positive, good-natured, and could find a way to make almost any situation more enjoyable. He brought his unmistakable personality wherever he went and was someone people genuinely loved being around. He will be missed more than words can say.