by Owen Wiese, Guest Writer
Jim and Kathy Kellum are both interesting and knowledgeable people who contribute to the worth of the community. They have lived in Garretson since 2014.
Jim works for the Amesbury- Truth Co. which has seven plants around the country. Jim works at the Sioux Falls facility. He was employed at one of their competitors in the Eastern U. S. prior.
After starting work in Sioux Falls, he commuted to the East each weekend to help get ready to move to Garretson.
While here, he drove around to the towns around Sioux Falls to see what living possibilities each offered. He selected Garretson as a good place to live. He and Kathy decided that the house in Garretson was the house which they wanted to live in.
Amesbury-Truth manufactures components for large window and door installations. Jim designs some of the components and is an expert at installation of the components and troubleshooting any problems. Jim has over 30 U.S. and foreign patents and pending patent applications.
Before taking his present job, Jim worked at other companies that afforded him extensive travel in Europe, Japan, Mexico and China. He has many very interesting experiences to tell about.
When he was in Seattle applying for work, he met Kathy who was to be his wife. Jim was in the Navy 1966-1970 and was awarded the Navy Commendation Medal. Today Jim holds a U.S. Coast Guard license as a Merchant Marine Engineering Officer.
Since Jim and Kathy have lived in Garretson they established activities which showcase activities of their intelligence and abilities.
I can attest to Kathy’s culinary skills by the delicious pumpkin pie she served when I came to collect Jim’s Legion dues. Her other interests include being a licensed massage therapist and Reiki Master.
Currently she is painting an array of very pretty Christmas cards and is also making very beautiful jewelry using very small beads and semi-precious stones. She also has a tastefully decorated home. She is a very talented lady.
Jim is journeyman machinist, mechanical engineer and became a self-taught gunsmith before finally completing a Master Gunsmith course.
He secured zoning permission from the City of Garretson because being a gunsmith is a business even though it is in a separate location. He got approval from his close neighbors. He does not display any advertising signs.
Jim has all the equipment and parts to repair or rebuild any type of small arms including a special forge used when he has to make a part.
Whether the weapon is an old one to be used as a display item or is one that needs repair or modification to be put in working order, Jim does a beautiful job. He does not advertise, and only does work for people he knows or direct referrals. Jim could refer to his gunsmith work as a part time vocation, but I am confident that he could make a very good living at it because he is so good at it.
