James Andrew Lumsden

James “YJ” Lumsden, age 58, of Long Beach, MS, passed away on Sunday, June 16, 2024, at home with his wife at his side, surrounded by family.

YJ was a native of Coon Rapids, Iowa, and has been a resident of Long Beach, MS for 7 years. He graduated high school in 1984 at Coon Rapids High School, in Coon Rapids, IA. He worked his entire adult life in the dental imaging field alongside his childhood friend, Doug Golay. Together they dominated the market with several companies providing software to the dental industry, the last and present company being, Real Cloud Imaging, Inc.

His grandchildren were the light of his life and his pride and joy. He was happiest teaching them to tinker with him in his shop, teaching them how to take computers apart, paint with an air brush, use tools to make wood projects, turn wrenches on engines. They enjoyed bonfires, puzzles and playing Rummikub and UNO together. Nerf gun wars were commonplace. His ultimate happy place was watching Looney Tunes and Classic Rock videos with his grandchildren, he loved that they took an interest in his favorite past times. 

Everyone called him “MacGyver”. He loved to tinker and create. He loved to show off his latest creations that he conjured up and brought to life. To mention just a few…fishing lures, miniature functional fireplaces, remote control cars and airboats, toothpick guns, and even a six-inch extension cord. He once told our daughter “I can fix anything except a broken heart”, he was correct. If you could dream it, he could build it. If it was broken, he would make it work again. His pride and joy was his 1974 Volkswagen Dune Buggy and enjoyed driving it up and down the beach. He was proud of his music collection and stereo system. His neighbors listened to good music whether they liked it or not! 

He constantly quoted song lyrics, lines from Looney Tunes and his favorite movies. He will be remembered by many of these such as, “Welcome to my shop, let me cut your mop, you’re so next!”, “Rabbit season! No! Duck season!”, “Dickey Moe!”, “The sheriff is near!”, and most remembered by everyone will be “let me smoke this cigarette first”. 

He lived his life on his own terms. He loved his family fiercely. He was always the life of every gathering. He adored his wife of 24 years and together they built a loving family environment that weathered every storm. He took two children under his wing when they were at their most rebellious ages. He told them he would never be their father, but he would be their friend. He taught them how to love by example, treating their mother as his most precious gift from God. He taught them work ethic, to fix their own mistakes, to live life to its fullest and dare to take it right to the edge, to make their own rules and live the life they wanted and not how others thought they should. Mostly he gave them love and respect and in return they loved and respected him as their dad with all their hearts.

He was preceded in death by his father, Wallace Lumsden; his mother, Arlene Lumsden; his brother-in-law, Danny Wiederin; and his 3 nephews, Tristan Trudeau, Maxton Vera and Dave Stolpe. Survivors include his wife of 24 years, Stephanie Lumsden of Long Beach; his children, Tania (Dan) Broich of Long Beach, and Sam Staffan of Long Beach; his grandchildren, Taylor Broich of Coon Rapids, IA, Skye Staffan of Charles City, IA, and Samantha Broich of Long Beach; his siblings, Maureen Wiederin of Gilbertsville, KY, Mark (Cindy) Lumsden of Coon Rapids, IA, Jean (Kevin) Rasmussen of Saylorville, IA, Joe Lumsden of Moorpark, CA, Mary (Chris) Kirn of Panama City, FL, and Julie (Jim) Maystadt of Ely, MN; and by his other loving family members, Curt Wiederin, Cris Wiederin, Heath Wiederin, Melissa Sunila, Kim Vera, Josh Mitchell, Luke Mitchell, Seth Rasmussen, Caitlyn DeJong, Wyatt Lumsden, Nicole Long, Michaela Dutson, Paige Maystadt, Toni Fuller, Hannah Haynes, Cookie Stolpe, Pattie Pletzer, and Mike LaCombe.

There will be a Celebration of Life on July 20, 2024 beginning at 5 PM, at The Northside in Coon Rapids, IA, with a bon fire at the racetrack starting at 9:00 PM. 

Riemann Family Funeral Home, Long Beach, MS, is serving the family. Please sign the online guestbook, and share memories and photos at www.riemannfamily.com