The masterpiece that was Jim Killen’s earthly existence began on January 22, 1934, and it came to an end in the early hours of January 6, 2024, at home, surrounded by his devoted wife, four children, and the forests that he considered to be his home.
The beginnings of Jim’s life were humbles. In the city of Montevideo, Minnesota, she was born to a baker and his wife. In addition to being the second of six children, he began living with local farmers when he was just 11 years old in order to assist in the maintenance of his family by working their property and earning money.
For the purpose of assisting his father at the bakery, he went back to his hometown when he was 15 years old. He started going to work every morning at two in the morning to bake and distribute items to local businesses in St. James, Minnesota.” He finished his high school education at Jackson High School, where he was the captain of both the basketball and track teams. Jim took the exam for the Forest Service when he graduated from high school, and then he hitchhiked his way to Park Rapids in order to start working as a Park Ranger.
While he was attending Mankato State Teachers College, which is now known as Minnesota State University, Mankato, he became interested in the fields of psychology and industrial arts. This was after he discovered that he would not be able to advance in his position as a Park Ranger without first obtaining a college degree.
In addition to being a college track and field athlete, he won the mile run championship for the state of Minnesota. His timing of 4 minutes and 19 seconds won him the opportunity to compete at the Nationals in Abilene, Texas. His Bachelor of Science in Art degree was awarded to him in 1957, and he graduated with honours. Jim received a Distinguished Alumni Award from Minnesota State University, Mankato in 1999. This distinction was bestowed upon him by the university.
After completing his education, he was hired by Jostens and nearly immediately after that, he was drafted into the Army and assigned to Fort Carson, which is located in Colorado. After some time, he was sent to the United States Correctional Barracks at Fort Leavenworth, where he became a member of the Psychology Department.
It was during his time at Fort Leavenworth that he became acquainted with Karen Hite, whom he eventually wed on November 7, 1959. Jim went back to Jostens after completing his military obligations and receiving an honourable release.
He then went on to establish a successful career as the Art Director. He took great pride in the fact that he had developed a number of rings that are still available for purchase today and that he had worked with others to design the Olympic medals for the year 1980.
