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Well, crap, we lost another good one.
I had not heard from James in the last 6 months so I emailed him and found out he passed away in September. James was a Marine through and through and a wealth of knowledge on the Corps and Marine rifles and equipment. He attended the Cody show several times and I always enjoyed sitting with him and having fascinating conversations.
Semper Fi old friend and RIP.
James Wade McBroom
Dec 1, 1943 – Sep 2, 2021
Master Sergeant (Retired) James Wade McBroom passed to his eternal home on Sept. 2, 2021, in Renton, Wash. James was born on Dec. 1, 1943, in Rusk, Texas, to Lola Perl (Bostick) and Wade Noble McBroom. He entered the United States Marine Corps in 1960, and spent his career serving his country until his retirement from active duty in 1981. He became the Postal Officer at Fort Lewis until his calling led him to become a Naval Science Instructor with teaching stints in Texas prior to taking the NJROTC program at Robert Service High School in Anchorage, Alaska, until his retirement,
James is survived by his wife of 56 years, Barbara Kimiko McBroom; son, Joel Wade McBroom; grandson, Joel Moses Wade McBroom; sister, Carol Stinson; and numerous other family members. He is preceded in death by his parents, Wade McBroom, Lola Ownby and stepfather, Bob Ownby.
Visitation and online viewing will be on Oct. 14, 2021, at Cady Funeral Home in Kent, Wash., from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. PST. Interment will be at the Tahoma National Cemetery at a date to be determined. Please contact the funeral home for details.
WACA Life Member #6284 - Specializing in Pre-64 Winchester .22 Rimfire
Online
Very sad news indeed
James and his wife Barbara were neighbors of mine (about 30-miles distant), and were very great folks to share an occasional lunch with. We frequently found ourselves attending the same shows, and shared a common interest in both military service and firearms. I will greatly miss the friendly banter we shared about our time in the Service, and who/what was the better “marine”.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
I am terribly saddened to hear this–I had believed it was his wife’s illness that diverted his participation on this board! He never mentioned to me any health problems of his own. Probably about 6 mos ago, I emailed him to say many of us still missed his presence, but received no response, assuming he had too many other concerns to reply; which was obviously true. One night several yrs ago, my phone rang & it was James, whom I had only exchanged emails with previously, so I said “how in the world did you find my phone no?” (Though it was in the phone book, as I ESCHEW the “cell.”) Well, James was a highly accomplished internet researcher, whose 2nd hobby was genealogical research, so discovering my phone no. was child’s play for him. At a later time, he informed me that my antecedents originated in the Mid-West, a huge disappointment as I had always assumed they migrated from Blessed Old Dixie after the War for Southern Independence. Another time, from no more than a name scrawled on the box of a S&W Outdoorsman I own, he discovered it had been owned by a career US Coast Guard sailor who served in WWI & II.
How I wish I had had the opportunity to tell him how much his friendship meant to me! When you know you’re going down for the third time, embarrassing as it may be to bring up such a difficult subject, tell your friends about it.
I also had a chance to both correspond with James and chat with him on the phone. He was a great guy. I would like to say more but words seem inadequate. I was aware his wife had substantial health issues which required his focus. I know he had aspired to acquire one more high condition collectible rifle. Sadly, I don’t think he was able to accomplish that. I will truly miss him, as I know others do.
May he Rest in Peace that he deserves.
A hearty salute Marine and thank you for your service.
steve004 said
I know he had aspired to acquire one more high condition collectible rifle. Sadly, I don’t think he was able to accomplish that. I will truly miss him, as I know others do.
I can’t think of any high cond. rifle he might have acquired to equal one he already possessed–one of the INCREDIBLY rare 1922 Winchester Sniper Rifles! He told me how he acquired it, but I’ve forgotten the story, except that he he did NOT pay some obscene price for it in a fat-cat auction. (Such as Rock Island.) Luckily, he has a son as interested in the rifle as himself, so presumably it won’t wind up in the nearest pawn shop as is the sad fate of the guns of many collectors.
Steve, I hope he told you the story of the M. 1890 with factory A5 scope!
clarence said
steve004 said
I know he had aspired to acquire one more high condition collectible rifle. Sadly, I don’t think he was able to accomplish that. I will truly miss him, as I know others do.I can’t think of any high cond. rifle he might have acquired to equal one he already possessed–one of the INCREDIBLY rare 1922 Winchester Sniper Rifles! He told me how he acquired it, but I’ve forgotten the story, except that he he did NOT pay some obscene price for it in a fat-cat auction. (Such as Rock Island.) Luckily, he has a son as interested in the rifle as himself, so presumably it won’t wind up in the nearest pawn shop as is the sad fate of the guns of many collectors.
Steve, I hope he told you the story of the M. 1890 with factory A5 scope!
No, I never hear the M1890 story. I’ve never been much of a .22 guy, although that doesn’t mean I wouldn’t enjoy the story. I do recall he had the only Whitney-Kennedy rifle I (or anyone else) had ever heard of – it was chambered in a .45-70. In fact, it was over that rifle that I first had contact with James. At the time, I didn’t even know of his interest in Winchesters. I had met him years before we figured out we also knew each other on this site.
steve004 said
No, I never hear the M1890 story. I’ve never been much of a .22 guy, although that doesn’t mean I wouldn’t enjoy the story. I do recall he had the only Whitney-Kennedy rifle I (or anyone else) had ever heard of – it was chambered in a .45-70. In fact, it was over that rifle that I first had contact with James. At the time, I didn’t even know of his interest in Winchesters. I had met him years before we figured out we also knew each other on this site.
They were one of his special interests, but only if in near mint cond. I never heard about the Whitney-Kennedy, but knew his interests were wide-ranging, like yours & mine.
November 7, 2015
Offline
I bought Schwing’s first Slide Action book from James. He was almost as excited about sending it to a novice collector as I was about receiving it. (And no, it’s not for sale!) I feel like I met him at Cody but can’t say for sure.
You’re right, Jeff. We lost another good one. 2021 has been a tough year, lots of memories.
Mike
Mike,
Yep, tough year all around.
I believe you probably did meet him at Cody, he was there the first year you brought your “new” Model 75 Target. He and I sat at one of those little round tables by the snack bar for about 2 hours discussing the military usage of the Model 69 and 75 and the training rifles on the smallbore ranges at Camp Pendleton and Camp Matthews among other interesting topics. Of course he was wearing his usual Marine Corps ball cap. I never bought or sold anything to him but did send him a few pieces/parts over the years. I never did get to see his collection but assumed it was very nice as he was meticulous.
Best Regards,
WACA Life Member #6284 - Specializing in Pre-64 Winchester .22 Rimfire
JWA said I never did get to see his collection but assumed it was very nice as he was meticulous.
Very meticulous: when he told me he was looking for a Lyman 103 in mint cond., I said “I have exactly that,” & I believe anyone else who saw it would have agreed; however, he discovered a minute flaw that I failed to notice, which made it unacceptable for the 100% M. 90 on which he intended to place it.
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