James Kass
December 29, 1948 ~ August 9, 2013
Former Onida mayor, James N. Kass, 64, died August 9, 2013, in the Rapid City (SD) Regional Hospital from complications following back surgery.
Visitation was held from 1:00 to 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, August 13, 2013 at Luce Funeral Home in Gettysburg. Burial was at the Onida Cemetery.
He was born December 29, 1948 in Pierre, SD to A.N. and Blanche T. Kass. Jim attended all twelve years of school in Highmore where he graduated with honors in 1967. He attended School of Mines in Rapid City before transferring to USD in Vermillion where he graduated with a degree in Mass Communications. He was a fun-loving party dude in college and loved being a radio disc jockey in Vermillion and a staff announcer at a TV station in Sioux City, IA. He was a real estate title examiner for most of his adult life and worked for the last 8 years telecommuting from his house in Onida to his job in Minneapolis.
He loved to collect stuff. Not necessarily important or even interesting artifacts, but stuff. He had hundreds of military metals and singlehandedly kept that market alive with purchases that no one else would bid on. To say he was a gun enthusiast would be like saying Scooby Doo liked Scooby Snacks. He discovered the Kass China Company of East Liverpool and bought every piece he could lay his hands on because they bore the family name. He collected things no one else really wanted, and discarded things that held value.
Despite his quirkiness, he was generous and kind. He had no children and loved his two nieces never forgetting a birthday or holiday and was proud of their accomplishments.
His father, A.N. Kass in 1980 and his mother, Blanche Kass in 2000, preceded him in death. He is survived by his two nieces Madison Kass, Rapid City, SD; Taylor Kass, College Station, TX; his brother Kent and wife Tess, Aubrey, TX and his brother Bill and wife Anne, Albuquerque, NM. He also will be missed by his two cats, Hurricane and Ivy.
Luce Funeral Home of Gettysburg has been entrusted with James’s arrangements.
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Ahhh Jim. I grew up with you, Kristi and Amanda, from living in the “green house” to moving to the “Abbott House”. I visited with you a few weeks ago and now you have left this world…i am truly saddened. Some of my favorite memories were the cats and the sassy little car 🙂 When you and Kris and Manda moved to Minneapolis I spent that summer taking care of them crazy cats, the house, the yard and I was only a freshman in high school, but you always trusted me to stay and be in charge. Guess thats why you and Kristi always had me stay with Amanda when you transitioning up there because I was fairly well behaved! LOL! Honestly, Jim you were the kindest man I knew, and Heaven gained an amazing angel.
Your family is in my thoughts and prayers.
LaJena
Kent&Tess I will never forget Jim. He was such a nice guy. Our condolences Bret&Wendy May GOD Bless.
Kent and Tess,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
We will miss Jim, he was such a thoughtfull, caring person. He used to play cards with Steve and the guys, way back when, they all enjoyed it. May he rest in peace, just so young to be gone. Loved that grin.
Bill, Ann, Kent and Tess,
Being a friend from the beginning and part of the party-dude period, I have nothing but great memories of Jim. He was a unique person, and we can all take lessons from his life about what is really important.
Harley
Sorry to hear of your loss.
Condolences to the whole family.
When our family first moved to Highmore it was my senior year in high school. You and Larry Hamlin were the only two people who actually took the time to get to know me and made me feel at home in my new town. I remember sitting on the swings in the park and just chatting about everything and anything. I wish I had told you how much I appreciated that. You were a true friend. See you when the time comes!
So long, old friend.