James (Jim) Ahlman

December 18, 1943 ~ August 15, 2024

Candy man passed away! James (Jim) Ahlman, a long-term resident of Prineville, who was known for saying, “If you can imagine it, you can make it,” “Be patient and try again, no one does it right the first time!” and “Why buy it when you can make it? Because it’s not pretty? Who cares, as long as it works!” passed away on August 15, 2024.

Born in Pierce, Nebraska, on December 18, 1943 to Johannes (John) and Jessie Ahlman, his family moved to Oregon in the 1950s, where he went to school in Jefferson and graduated from Jefferson High School in 1962. In 1963, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corp as a rifleman; he would later be sent to Vietnam, where he would spend his 21st birthday fighting for his life and those in his platoon after being caught in an ambush. Upon completion of his enlistment in 1966, he worked in many kinds of jobs from hauling mobile homes, volunteer firefighter, managing a dairy farm and working at the mills in Prineville. Ultimately, he would work at Duckett Welding for more than 30 years, where he would retire.

In 1971, he married Sheila Lewellen and would later divorce in 1987. He has two children, Carol Ahlman of Dover, Arkansas, and Jason Ahlman of Prineville, Oregon. He leaves behind four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

He was known to hand out boxes of candy to women in the community, whether they were cashiers, waitresses or those in his coffee group at McDonald’s for various holidays throughout the year. If he knew of someone in need, he would be the first to assist if possible.

A celebration of life will be August 23 at 11 a.m., at Ward Park pavilion. In lieu of flowers (he was NOT a fan of flowers), the family asks that you perform a random act of kindness to help bring a smile to someone’s face.