James Allen Looman

Everyone loves a good story. I interviewed my Dad to preserve his stories and history. Click the play button below to listen and scroll through some lifetime images.

If, after hearing my Dad’s story you’re interested in creating a tribute with photos and stories for someone, contact me. I’d be honored to interview and photograph your person of interest.

Headphones are recommended for the best audio experience. For Part 2 where I interview my Dad and his two best friends about fishing, scroll down to the “fish tales” icon and click the play button.

1942. 3 years old.

1949. James, age 10 and sister, Jayne, age 4. This would have been around the time he experienced what he described in the interview as the worst physical pain he’s ever had in his life. Click to minute 117 of the interview to hear this story.

1955. High School hunting buddies. From left, Joe Benston, James Looman, Bob Dekker, Ron Johns. James would meet Flis Dekker, his wife to be, while hunting at the farm with these friends. Click on minute 16:30 of the interview to hear the story.

1957 Holland High School senior picture

First car, 1950 Plymouth.

1957 Chevy. When I asked him how fast he got this car going in the interview, he thought around 80mph. He admitted later he’s not very good with numbers anymore with a half-smile. All he would say was it was well over 80. Haha. Click on minute 57:08 of the interview to hear this story.

1961. WW2 plane ride from Letourneau, TX to Kalamazoo, MI. He was given the co-pilot seat for what would be the noisiest plane ride of his life. Click on minute 23:35 to hear the story.

With Flis, February 1961. After graduating college from Letourneau, TX, the two celebrated Valentines and he gave her a cedar hope chest, a “promise” of marriage and a big surprise to Flis.

1962 with Flis for her high school graduation.

1974 Herman Miller, when smoking a pipe, big sideburns, and combovers were acceptable in the workplace.

Herman Miller corporate jet, a plane ride that “set him back in his seat”. Click on minute 58:07 of the interview to hear the story.

1988 canoe/fishing trip in upper Wisconsin. Always keeping people laughing.

2017. J + F. Married 58 years and counting.

2022. Hughes 500c helicopter. “Whenever I would tell the story (of crashing in the helicopter) to people, I always tried to mention how thankful I was to God for sparing my life.” Click on minute 39:05 of the interview to hear this story.

2022. Loungin’ in the iconic Herman Miller Eames 670 chair. To hear the story of how he got his career started at Herman Miller, click on minute 36:10 of the interview.

1970. The first trip to Ontario, Canada. Left to right - “Jacques”, “The Doctor”, Bob Letherer, Larry Johnson, Ted Parker, and Clyde Tilton.

Base Camp. Lee Cole, the famous bush pilot, comin’ in hot.

1975, View from Tablerock Island. Ontario, Canada.

The infamous painting by Mike Stewart of the guys having lunch on Worship Island, as described in the interview.

Bob, Jacques, and the Doctor (on the motor) en route.

Lunker time with the 8mm video camera.

Style and class.

Dinner time.

Fresh pike and fries.

1970. 7 Days, 5 lunkers, 1089 total northern pike. Based on Larry’s nickname, I’m betting he lost at cards.

1987. 3 generations trip. From left, Jacques Looman, his Dad, Edwin Looman, Drew Johnson, Chet Johnson, Dan Looman, Randy Johnson, and Lee Cole, the famous bush pilot.

Jacques on the motor. 1988.

1984. Cowboy, Dr. Pike, and Jacques about to leave on another trip to Canada, eh.

Jacques and Cowboy, mid 1980’s.

Ogoki lake. 44” northern pike. 2005.

Cowboy, the Doctor, and Jacques. 2005.

Thanks for checking out my Dads story. I hope you enjoyed it. I’d like to thank both my Mom and Dad for their time and help in putting this together. Also to Al and Randy for their friendship to our family, specifically my Dad over the years. Lastly, a huge shoutout and thank you to Julian Bibl, a great friend and incredible Audio Engineer for going above and beyond to complete this project.