James ‘Jim’ Paul Ulm Sr. passed away peacefully on August 9, 2026, just days shy of his 89th birthday. His life was made full by his family, friends, faith, and the military service he performed for our country, and his family finds comfort in knowing he is reunited with his beloved wife Margaret Jean ‘Jeanne’ Newkirk Ulm.
Jim was born on August 19, 1937, in Frankfort, Indiana, to Robert G. and Lucile Hiett Ulm as the oldest brother to Tom, Greg, Mary, and Pat. He led the course for his siblings, who were all first-generation college students, future educators, and forever proud of their Frankfort roots.
Jim was well known in his hometown for his left-handed basketball prowess on the Frankfort Hot Dogs team, which led him to the Air Force Academy and a distinguished military career as a command pilot with more than 5,000 flying hours, including more than 740 combat hours. Brigadier General Ulm is honored on the Clinton County Air Force Generals Memorial in the heart of his hometown at Courthouse Square.
During his service, Jim and Jeanne plus their three children, Jim, Joanna, and Joanna were stationed around the United States but returned time and time again to the Colorado mountains as their summertime home base. As their family expanded through new generations, Jim and Jeanne “J & J” became known as “G & G” to their cherished grandchildren.
For all he accomplished during more than 30 years of service, Jim was proudest of his family. To them, “the General” was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather who never met anyone he didn’t like. He stayed closely connected to the people he loved, prayed for them daily, and proudly shared stories about his family with everyone he met.
Jim is survived by his three children: Jim Ulm (Shelley) of Houston, TX, Joanna Ulm Peters of Monument, CO, and John Ulm (Jenny) of San Antonio, TX; his two brothers: Gregory Ulm (Denise) and Patrick Ulm (Angie); his seven grandchildren: Madison Przywara (Matthew), Hannah Condara (Benjamin), and James Ulm III, Megan Rogers (Sean), Katie Johnson (Zephan), Isabella and Hayes Ulm; and his four great-grandchildren: Rory (3), Spencer (3), Mia (1), and Lily (1).
Jim was preceded in death by his parents Robert and Lucile, his brother Thomas ‘Tom’ Ulm, his sister Mary Margaret Avelis, and his wife of 58 years, Jeanne. Jim and Jeanne are finally reunited and will rest together at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery.
Details and a photo collage celebrating Jim’s life can be found at https://www.ebensberger-fisher.com/obituaries/James-Paul-Ulm?obId=49246110&source=EmSh