James F. Weiss

James F. Jim Weiss, age 73, of Ottawa, Kansas, died Monday, November 15, 2010, at Village Manor Nursing Home in Ottawa, Kansas. He was born on Sunday, July 25, 1937, in Kansas City, Missouri, the son of Fredrick and Velma (Tanner) Weiss. He was a resident of Ottawa since 2005, moving from Kansas City. He lived in Alaska in the late 1960’s, returning to Kansas City after the major Alaskan earthquake. Jim graduated from De La Salle Military Academy of Kansas City, Missouri. He attended Johnson County Community College in Overland Park, Kansas; Penn Valley Community College in Kansas City, Missouri; and University of Kansas, in Lawrence, Kansas; receiving his Engineering Associates of Science (A.S.) Degree. During his lifetime, Jim obtained his pilot’s, aircraft mechanics, commercial and amateur radio licenses. While in Alaska, he owned a small plane and had an Airframe Power Plant Mechanics license, which allowed him to make repairs on small planes. From July 1976 to November 1979, he worked as an Electronics Technician for Bendix in Kansas City, Missouri; December 1979 to May 1980, Field Service Technician for K.C. Calibration Lab in Kansas City, Kansas; May 1980 to March 1983, Plant Maintenance Worker for Grindsted Products, Industrial Airport, Kansas; April 1984 to August 1992, Engineering Aide, Prime Engineer, and an “A” Instrument Technician at Hercules Aerospace Company (Sunflower Army Ammunition Plant) in DeSoto, Kansas. He also taught alternative energy courses at Johnson County Community College. Jim served in the United States Navy from July of 1956 to January of 1960, as a radioman. He was raised in the Catholic religion and was a member of Instrument Society of America; Experimental Aircraft Association; Shawnee Radio Amateur Emergency Communications Team; and Toastmasters International. Jim was united in marriage with Lola Mae “Pat” Graham in Nevada. She preceded him in death on September 17, 1994. He is survived by his: Sister-Mary Ann Simpson and her husband, Wyane, of Camarillo, California; Sister-Martha Leisure and her husband, John, of San Francisco, California; Sister-Cathy Lighthizer of Chevy Chase, Maryland; Brother-David Weiss of Edwardsville, Kansas; Brother-Richard Weiss and his wife, Charlene, of Paola, Kansas and Several- Nieces & Nephews. Jim is preceded in death by his: Wife-Lola Mae “Pat” Weiss; Parents-Fredrick and Velma (Tanner) Weiss and a Brother-Paul F. Weiss. SERVICES: Cremation is planned. Memorial Funeral Services will be held from the Dengel & Son Mortuary in Ottawa at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 23, 2010. MEMORIALS: The family suggests memorial contributions to Parkinson’s Foundation, c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, Kansas 66067.