Jim Lammers

BY MIKKI C. BENNETT

In the world of reenacting, everyone is use to playing dead. But when a death occurs in the reenactment community, it is a hard bite to swallow.

In early February, one such bite was served. Jim Lammers, owner of Cedar Creek Supply Depot, died of a massive heart attack Tuesday, Feb. 5.

The news of the loss spread quickly, as soldiers and sutlers learned of the loss.

“I got the news around 2 a.m.,” said Jerry Parsons, commanding officer of the 37th Virginia, Co. E. “I was just in shock.”

Friends of the Lammers family stayed with Jim’s wife, Linda, at their home in Whitesburg, Tenn., while her children and family members made their way across the country.

“He and his family have been good friends,” said Mike Beck, friend of the family for 20 years.

Before getting into the sutlery business, Jim served his country in the United States military. After receiving his honorable discharge, he dedicated his life to his family and trade.

“He was one of the better craftsmen in the field,” said Beck.

Creating everything by hand, Jim strived for authenticity; a trait he handed down to his family. It was his attention to detail that made Cedar Creek products a must for reenactors.

“He perfected the leather work,” said Benjamin Bennett, reenactor for eight years. “He was the best.”

But it wasn’t only his love of perfection, that made Jim stand out to reenactors, it was also his love for and knowledge of the products he sold.

“He always tried to share his knowledge of history,” said Beck.

If anyone had a question about any of Jim’s products he could easily tell more than what it was, he could explain why it worked that way.

Why does this jacket have these stripes? What is so important about this color? What in the world is a mucket?

Giving the answer brought a sense of joy to Jim; a joy that will be missed by those who simply stopped by his tent to talk.

Jim also served on the board of the Lakeway Civil War Preservation Association. A group devoted to preserving Civil War history in East Tennessee.

A memorial was held for Jim on Feb. 10, at Mayes Mortuary Chapel, in Morristown, Tenn. He was laid to rest the next morning at Mountain Home National Cemetery in Johnson City, Tenn.

Jim leaves behind his loving wife, of 42 years, Linda, his four children and nine grandchildren. Also left behind were the numerous friends in his reenacting family.

Jim Lammers was 61 years old.

“For we know that if our earthly house of this Tabernacle were dissolved we have a building of God. A house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.” ~ 2nd Cor. 5:1