He was born James Phylos Svelmoe April 5, 1922 at Cedar Rapids, Iowa to Holgar and Alvada (Babcock) Svelmoe. He was raised in California and graduated from Eagle Rock High School in Los Angeles in 1940.  From 1942-1945 he served in the U.S. Army Air Corps where he received training to fly B17 bombers. He was employed thirty-eight years in the oil industry in Pennsylvania and California in research and development, as a pilot plant operator, lab technician and safety engineer.

Jim participated in the Mayo Clinic Aging Study for ten years, and also served as a volunteer at Mayo Clinic. He enjoyed classical music, hiking, camping, fishing in the mountains and especially spending time with his two sons. Jim was a friend of Bill W. for 30 years. When Jim was 90 years old, he accepted the Lord’s gift of faith in Jesus Christ.  

He married Margaret “Maggie” Brown in 1945 in Biloxi, Mississippi and they were later divorced. In 1968 he married Mary P. “Pat” (Llewellyn) Burtt in Brea, California and they were later divorced. In 1990 he married Leone (Weckwerth) Ide at Christ Lutheran Church in Byron and she survives.

In addition to his wife he is survived by two sons, Stephen (Natasha) Svelmoe and Paul (Nancy) Svelmoe, both of Las Vegas, NV; two step-sons, George (Terry) Ide of Glenwood, MN and Joel (Brenda) Ide of Austin, MN;  stepdaughter, Tami (Rick) Maher of Monticello, MN; ten grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Salem Road Covenant Church Missions or Seasons Hospice.  

Macken Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.  Online condolences are welcome at www.mackenfuneralhome.com.