Obituaries » Wesley C. Tam
Wesley C. Tam
April 7, 1969 - September 14, 2022
Wesley Charles Tam, 53, of Ankeny, Iowa, passed away unexpectedly, Wednesday, September 14, 2022, at MercyOne in Des Moines surrounded by his loving family. A celebration of Wesley’s life will be held starting at 4 p.m. Saturday, October 1, 2022, at Snus Hill Vineyard & Winery at 2183 320th St. Madrid, IA 50156. The family will be hosting a meal to honor Wes. This celebration will be a time to gather with family and friends to share memories of Wes’ beautiful life. A private burial ceremony for the immediate family will be held at a later date.
Wes was born to David and Glennis Tam on April 7, 1969. He grew up in Yale, Iowa and graduated from Ankeny High School in 1987. Following his graduation from high school, his fascination with watching semi drivers back up their trailers, led to his career of becoming a professional semi driver for 27 years. Throughout his years of employment, he earned many awards and recognition for safe driving. Wes was described as an incredibly hard working man that would go out of his way to help anyone in need.
In 1990, Wesley married Jodi Weier (Swanson). Within their 25 years together, they welcomed two baby girls, Sidney and Alison. In 2010, Wesley later reconnected with the love of his life, Christine Soppe. After a few years of dating Christine and Wesley married on May 17, 2014, at Snus Hill Winery in Madrid, Iowa. Together a beautiful, blended family was created.
Wes was blessed to retire early. He used this time to pursue his passion of woodworking and restoring vehicles. Wes started his own company called Tam Custom Woodworking and loved to create special pieces for family, friends, and his new customers. In retirement, Wes loved to spend time with his granddaughters and attend all of their special events. His many other hobbies included playing softball, working on o-scale trains, and collecting model and remote-control vehicles. Wes was a lover of country music with a special place in his heart for Jason Aldean. He loved his Iowa State Cyclones, spending time with his family, and doting on his dog. Wes was the life of the party and could make anyone smile. He would continuously crack jokes and pull pranks which gave him the very important title of being the “Silliest Grandpa Ever.” His humor, kindness, and loving nature will forever be missed by anyone who got the pleasure of knowing Wes.
He survived by his wife, Christine Tam of Ankeny, Iowa; his daughters Sidney (Cody) Crannell of Slater, Iowa, and Alison (Dustin) Oaks of Cambridge, Iowa; step-sons, Matthew Walczak of Minneapolis, Minnesota, and Michael Walczak of Schlewig, Iowa; granddaughters, Brynlee and Caroline Crannell of Slater, Iowa; father, David Tam of Guthrie Center, Iowa; sister, Glenda Ouverson of Boundrant, Iowa; many in-laws, nieces, nephews, dear friends, and beloved Golden Retriever, Gracie.
Wes was preceded in death by his mother, Glennis Tam; brother, Michael Tam, and grandparents.
In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Wesley can be made to the American Heart Association to aid research of Atrial Fibrillation and other heart associated conditions: https://www.heart.org/en/affiliates/iowa/des-moines