James D. Bayman and wife Linda

Rex Schrader was given the honor of introducing Jim Bayman as the newest member of the IAA Hall of Fame. Bayman has been an auctioneer for 42 years and a real estate broker since 1965.

He got his start in auctioneering in 1961 at age 17, much to the consternation of his folks, Lewis and Iva Bayman, who had other ideas as to Jim’s future. Lewis was an auctioneer, but wanted young Jim to become a veterinarian. Jim’s mother, Iva, thought he should think about becoming an attorney.

But Jim, the practical guy that he is, was convinced that his destiny was either to be an auctioneer or a funeral director. Auctioneering won the day when he went to Reppert's School of Auctioneering and he never looked back.

He has been an auctioneer since then and never held another job. Without a doubt this was a great loss for the funeral director profession as proven by the IAA award presented to him in Columbus

In the early years Jim helped his father, Lewis, with farm, real estate, and estate auctions. On the side he also conducted Pure Bred Auctions throughout the region, which required his being on the road a good deal of the time. The Pure Bred Auctions began to dwindle in the 70’s, and Jim began to tire of the endless road time and living out of a suitcase. He settled in South Whitley where he continued to develop his auction business, which today is focused on residential and farm real estate, estate auctions, and appraisals. Jim is probably one of the few auctioneers who has been to auctioneer school twice. In 1985, he attended Superior Auction School in Decatur, Illinois when some of his old friends from his days in the Pure Bred ring opened a new school.

Jim served as a director of the IAA during the years 1975-76-78-82, as vice president in 1980 and was President of the IAA in 1981. In addition, he was the IAA Champion Auctioneer in 1984. He served on the IAA Legislative Committee in 1980 and was co-chairman of the IAA convention in 1977.

Jim is a life-long resident of South Whitley, Indiana where he has served as a County Council member for District 4, which includes Cleveland, Jefferson, and Washington townships in Whitley County.

Jim is past president of the Whitley County Board of Realtors and past president of the South Whitley Chamber of Commerce. He has served six years on the Whitley County 4-H Fair Board.

He is also a member of the United Methodist Church and a member of the Eagles Lodge, Masonic Lodge, Scottish Rite, and Shrine.

Jim and his wife, Linda, have two children (Ryan and Kristin) and two grandchildren (Wesley and Andrew) all of whom were present at his induction ceremony in Columbus, Indiana.

Written by Lars Svendsen, The Auction Exchange

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