James Edward Wankum
We are sad to announce that local teacher and coach James “Jim” Edward Wankum passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday, September 25th, after a long struggle with Lewy Body Dementia.
Jim was born on April 29, 1941, in Bakersfield, California, the fourth child and first son of Norbert and Lucile Wankum. Growing up alongside his older sisters Rose, Barbara, and Peggy, and younger brothers Mike and Jeff, Jim spent his early years in Delano before the family moved to a cotton farm in Earlimart, California. On the farm, he learned the value of hard work, often recalling how his father paid him and his siblings five cents per row for picking cotton.
Jim played the trombone during his elementary and middle school years. At Delano High School, he was a standout on the football team. In his senior year of 1959, he played as a first-team all-league defensive tackle in the Kern County All-Star Game, earning a sportsmanship award and catching the eye of a recruiter from Allan Hancock College in Santa Maria, California. In 1960, Jim played for Hancock College, which ranked #4 nationally and played in the Orange Show Bowl Game under the guidance of an up-and-coming young assistant coach named John Madden.
In 1961, Jim enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. He received his training at the USMC Recruit Depot in San Diego and was stationed at the USMC Air Station in Yuma, Arizona, where he was an Aviation Radar Technician. He also played football for the Marines. For his service, he was awarded the Good Conduct Medal and Rifle Expert Badge and achieved the rank of Lance Corporal E-3.
After completing his military service in 1964, Jim returned to Santa Barbara County to continue his education and football career at the University of California Santa Barbara. Majoring in Physical Education and Mathematics, he played three seasons for the UCSB football team, culminating in a trip to the Camellia Bowl in 1965.
In 1967, Jim met a local woman named Marilyn Glick, who would become the love of his life. The couple married shortly thereafter and settled in Santa Barbara, where they began their family.
Jim earned his teaching credential and began his career at Goleta Valley Junior High, teaching Physical Education and Math from 1967 to 1982. He later continued his career at San Marcos High School, where he taught Math and coached football and wrestling. During this time, he also sang with the Channel City Barbershop Chorus for several years.
In the year 2000, his first year of retirement, Jim won a new Porsche in a drawing at the Chumash Casino. The Porsche was too small for Jim to fit in comfortably, so he traded it for a Mercedes for his wife, Marilyn. He was definitely more comfortable in his Ford F-150.
In retirement, he played trombone in the Prime Time Band, enjoyed visits from his grandchildren, and stayed active playing lots of tennis.
In 2005, he was inducted into the UCSB Sports Hall of Fame as a member of the 1965 Camellia Bowl team. In 2010, he was honored by Allan Hancock College as a member of the undefeated 1960 team, and in 2012, he was inducted into the Delano High School Football Hall of Fame for their outstanding 1959 season.
He loved “oldies” music of the ’50s and ’60s, Mexican food (especially the chile relleno and enchilada combo from Pepe’s), donuts, pancakes, the comedy of George Carlin, and laughter.
Jim was diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia in 2019 and stayed active playing tennis with his many friends at Cathedral Oaks Tennis Club for as long as he could. His gradual decline was met with the unwavering support of his wife, dedicated caregivers, and frequent visits from family and friends.
Jim is survived by his wife of 57 years, Marilyn; his son, Brian; his daughter, Teri; his grandchildren, Conrad and Athena; his siblings, Rose, Barbara, Peggy, and Jeff; as well as 21 nieces and nephews.
Per Jim’s wishes, there will be no memorial or services. The family would like to express deep appreciation for the dedicated care given by the Friendship Center, Easylift, and Jim’s caregiver Zulma, who have been an indispensable help these past few years, and to VNA Home Hospice these last few weeks.
The family would welcome contributions in Jim’s memory to friendshipcentersb.org and easylift.org.
Husband, Father, Friend, Brother, Uncle, Grandfather, Athlete, Soldier, Teacher, Coach—Jim was a gentle giant who will be deeply missed.