James Dean Wahlstrom, 75, was born in Storm Lake, Iowa on July 7, 1947, the son of Reuben and Bertha Wahlstrom.  He graduated from Charles City High School in 1965, where he enjoyed running track and playing drums in the marching band. Jim graduated from Iowa State University as a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in May 1971. After graduation, Jim and his family headed to Cumberland Gap, Tennessee to establish the first veterinary practice in this Appalachian region. In 1974 he and his family moved to Brunswick, Maine to join a group veterinary practice.  A year later he moved to Boothbay, Maine and established Boothbay Animal Hospital. In 1989 a second satellite office, Coastal Veterinary Care, was established in Wiscasset and in 2000 a new hospital was built.  Between both offices and with the assistance of partners and many dedicated staff, thousands of pets and farm animals were lovingly cared for in the coastal region. In 2012 Jim formally retired and moved to Farmington to enjoy life in the Western Maine mountains. 

In addition to a meaningful professional career, family life was Jim’s passion. Jim and Susan were married on Aug. 30, 1969, and over the next 11 years, they were blessed with four children. Together they enjoyed exploring the outdoors, attending stock car races and sport events, and traveling worldwide. In his retirement, Jim was an artistic creator of art with wood and maker of Native American style drums from local trees and buffalo hide. Across the years Jim found time to be on the hospital board of St. Andrews Hospital in Boothbay Harbor, was a member of the Boothbay Region Lions Club and later a trustee of Old South Congregational Church, each for several years.

Jim died on Sept. 25, 2022, almost seven years after an Alzheimer’s diagnosis. 

He leaves behind his four children Christopher Wahlstrom (son) and granddaughter Jordan Wahlstrom and great-grandson Brantley; Sarah Carroll (daughter) and granddaughter Hannah and grandson Hilton; Nicholas Wahlstrom (son) and granddaughter Aspen; Amy Wahlstrom-Hitsman (daughter) and son-in-law Derek and grandson Eric.   His older brother Bob lives in Iowa.  Susan, his wife of 53 years, is grateful for the incredible life they built together.       

Jim lived life fully as a compassionate, honest, giving person. He will be dearly missed by family and all those that knew and loved him. He will be remembered as a dedicated husband and father, and for the countless animals he compassionately cared for in his 41 years as a veterinarian. 

Funeral services will be at Old South Church in Farmington, on Sept. 30, 2022 at 11 a.m., followed by a reception and time of remembrance at UMF N Dining Hall. 

In remembrance of Jim, please make donations in lieu of flowers to your local humane society.

Tributes and condolence may be shared in his Book of Memories at www.wilesrc.com. Arrangements are in the care of the Wiles Remembrance Center, 137 Farmington Falls Road, Farmington, Maine.