Jimmie R. Bass, Sr.

Jimmie R. 'Jim' Bass, Sr. was born on Wednesday, December 16, 1931, in Pittsburg, Kansas. He was the son of Albert W. Bass, Sr. and Cora (Albertson) Bass. Jim moved to Ottawa, in Franklin County, Kansas in 1959, where he made his home until his death on Thursday, April 24, 2008, at the age of seventy-six years. Jim attended Pittsburg High School, earning his G.E.D. while serving in the Army. He attended Pittsburg State College for one year, graduating from their Technical School Program in 1959. He worked at Ottawa Truck, Suffron Glass, Martin Electric, Olmsted Electric and Hogelin Electric, before starting his own electrical business, Bass Electric, from 1967 to 1999. After retiring, he worked for Executive Beechcraft, New Century, Kansas and part-time at Ottawa Municipal Airport, Ottawa, Kansas. He achieved his pilot's license in 1993. Jim served in the Unites States Army from 1948 to 1989 as a Staff Sergeant during the Korean War, retiring from the lst Battalion, 127th Field Artillery, Kansas Army National Guard of Ottawa. He received numerous commendations and awards for distinguished service. He was a lifetime member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Memorial Post #5901 of Ottawa. On March 13, 1955, Jim was united in marriage with Marianne Schuster at Neu Ulm, Germany. They recently celebrated their 53rd wedding anniversary. She survives of their home. He is also survived by two daughters, Blanka Bellinger and her husband, Kenny, of Rantoul, KS, Ramona Martin of Princeton, KS; two sons, Jimmie Bass, Jr. and his wife, Beth, of Canberra, Australia, Tom Bass and his wife, Brandy, of Ottawa, KS; three sisters, Loretta Goodwin and her husband, Kenneth, of Willard, MO, Alice Stewart of Weir, KS, Coretta Gideon and her husband, Larry, of Weir, KS; three brothers, Albert W. Bass, Jr. of Carlsbad, NM, Billy B. Bass and his wife, Charolotte, of Kingman, AZ, George Bass of Weir, KS; twelve grandchildren; and eighteen great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, William Bass, Charles Bass; and granddaughter, Michelle Bass. SERVICES: Family and friends will meet for Graveside Memorial Services at Evergreen Mound Cemetery at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 29, 2008. IN STATE: According to his wishes, Mr. Bass has been cremated. CEMETERY: Evergreen Mound Cemetery, Franklin County, Kansas. MEMORIALS: The family suggests memorials to Jim Bass Memorial Fund, c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, Kansas 66067.