Kenneth James Deem, known to most people on the island as “Jim” or, more likely, “Cookie Man,” passed away on June 24, 2006.

Kenneth James Deem was born in Manchester, Ill. on May 15, 1928 to Viola and John Deem.

Jim grew up with brothers Tommy and John R., and sisters Susie and Charlotte.

After growing up in Illinois and serving in the Armed Forces, Jim moved to California and worked in the grocery business for many years. He has a daughter, Kimberly, from his marriage to Anna. Kimberly and her husband Geoff currently reside in San Diego, Calif. with Jim’s grandchildren, Kelli, Katie, Kaci and Jack. Anna also resides in San Diego.

Jim worked for many years in the grocery business as a clerk. One of his favorite pastimes recently was to visit the Red Apple (both locations!) and Payless in the same day to get the best bargains.

Jim worked for many years for Food Giant and during this time married Rosalie. He has two daughters with Rosalie; Pam and Pat. His career ended when he was disabled during a supermarket robbery attempt in the late 1960s. He was shot during the robbery which left a bullet permanently lodged precariously in his spine.

Even though this was a life-threatening injury, Jim continued to live his life to the fullest. He loved animals, nature, the History Channel, war stories, politics, poker and current events. He loved to go to the casino, drive his white Lincoln all over town, buy groceries, eat good food, meet people and talk!

Some of his happiest years were spent with his last wife, Frances.

They met in Los Angeles and moved to San Diego during the ‘80s. Jim has four sons with Frances, Ed, Terry, Larry and Ray. Jim and Frances had a large house near the beach in Leucadia. They lived there for many happy years and acquired many lifelong friends. They enjoyed many pool-side celebrations and barbecues. Frances and Jim also enjoyed traveling to Las Vegas and taking drives in the white Lincoln.

After a time, Frances and Jim moved to Langley. They enjoyed the quiet life here and spent time with friends and family. When Frances passed on several years ago, Jim was at a loss as to what to do without her. At his son’s Ed’s urging, he made it a point to get out of the house every day. And taking Terry’s suggestion to do a good deed for someone every day, he began making new friends all over town. He improved his cooking skills and learned he could do all sorts of things later in life. He decided one holiday season to bake some cookies. Frances had always made holiday baked gifts, so Jim decided to do that, too. And he made a lot — so many dozens of cookies that he carried them in Ziplock bags in the trunk of his car to hand out to strangers. Thus he became known as “The Cookie Man.” His cookies are legendary.

In addition to his passion for shopping, he also liked to eat good food and visit with friends. He spent many hours at his favorite places, Mike’s Place, Neil’s and the Freeland Café. He had friends all over town and if he wasn’t giving you cookies, he was giving you pens, mints, candy, cherries, avocados or whatever else was on special at the market. He also enjoyed going to the casino and playing penny slots for hours.

He enjoyed his visits with his many friends including Jackie, Kristina (especially you two girls), all of his friends at the Langley Clinic, his doctors and nurses, Curt and Gwen, all of the sisters and girls at the Café, Yvonne, Perry, Russell Bliss and family, granddaughter Sarah and grandson Gary, The Tiessen’s, Dawn, Richard, his friends at Payless, the Red Apple and El Corral and Neil’s.

While looking forward to visits from Kristina and Pam and Pat, Jim passed away in his sleep on Saturday, June 24, 2006. A Celebration of his Life will be held at 3 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 17, at Visser Funeral Home in Langley. We hope that his friends will join us to remember the fun and laughter that he brought to all of us.

Jim leaves behind his daughters Kim, Pam and Pat; sons Ed, Terry, Ray, and Larry; grandchildren Kelli, Katie, Kaci, Jack, Sarah and Sydney; brothers Tom and John R.; family members Joan, Tom, Michael, Sue, Ron, Cheryl, Chuck and Patty.

We’re going to miss all the good times, casino trips, funny stories, your laugh and your smiling face!