James “Jim” Merril Gass

James “Jim” Merril Gass

1941-2024

James Merril Gass passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by his loving family on June 13, 2024.

Jim was born in Garden City, Kansas October 30, 1941.  Growing up, Jim had many moves during his childhood with his mother and the father that raised him, Kenneth Jenkins, an Army Air Corp recruiter during WWII and after. Jim spent his high school years in Stillwell, Oklahoma. Jim put himself through college through hard work. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Personnel Management from Oklahoma State University and later, a Master’s Degree from Central Michigan University.

Jim met Joan Goodbary, the love of his life, in Stillwater Oklahoma at OSU in 1963. They dated in for 18 months and were married in Stillwater in 1964, surrounded by family and friends.  This is where life began for these 2 adventurous kids.

The Life of a Military Man and Family:

Jim was commissioned through the ROTC program upon graduation from OSU. His first assignment was Ft. Sill, Oklahoma where he was a battery executive officer and a Field Artillery Group assistant S3. Following graduation from flight school, he served two tours in Vietnam with the 25^th Infantry Division Artillery Aviation Section and the 4^th Bn, 77^th FA (Aerial Field Artillery), 101^st Airborne (Airmobile Division). After Graduation from the Field Artillery Officer Advanced Course, Jim was a battery commander and battalion S3 with the 2^nd Bn 2d FA, and assistant S3 of the 214^th FA Group at Ft. Sill, Oklahoma. Following graduation from the Command and General Staff College, he was assigned to the U.S. Army Aviation School as a test and evaluation officer. He next went to MILPERCEN in Washington, D.C. where he was a captains assignment officer in the Field Artillery Branch. From MILPERCEN; he joined the 4^th Infantry Division at Ft. Stewart, Georgia where he was the battalion executive officer, 2d Bn 35^th FA. Jim then moved to the division staff where he served as the secretary of the general staff and the division G-1. After a move to Germany, he served briefly as a deputy community commander before assuming command of the 2d Bn, 41^st FA, 3^rd Infantry Division. Following battalion command, Jim was selected to attend the U.S. Army War College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. Jim then returned to Ft. Sill. Oklahoma, where he served consecutively as the Deputy Commander of the Artillery Training Center, Director of the Weapons Department and Director of Training and Doctrine for the U.S. Army Field Artillery School. Jim then became the 1^st Calvary Division Artillery Commander at Ft. Hood, Texas. He deployed the DIVARTY to Saudi Arabia for Operation Desert Shield/Storm where the “Red Team” became the first to employ MLRS rockets and Copperhead projectile in combat. He was posted as Deputy Director of Personnel, J-1, U.S. Army Forces Command, in Ft. McPherson, Georgia. Jim received several awards throughout his long career including Legion of Merit with 3 OLC, Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal with 4 OLC, Air Medal with V and 34 OLC, Army Commendation Medal with V and 1 OLC, and the Army Achievement Medal.

 After his 30 years of service to our country, Jim retired from the U.S. Army at the rank of Colonel. In that 30 years of service Jim had been deployed and moved to 5 countries and 11 different states in the lower 48, with the love of his life Joan, and 3 children in tow.

After Army retirement in 1995, Jim started his second career as a Special Consultant with MPRI in Alexandria, Virginia, FMC Saudi Arabia, Training Director of Military Implementation in the Republic of Croatia, and Special Assistant to the Director of the Oklahoma City National Memorial Institute of Terrorism Oklahoma City.

He loved the opportunity of travel which his career afforded him. Jim and Joan retired in Edmond, Oklahoma. In their 60-year marriage, they have been blessed to serve the country and meet many wonderful friends.

Jim enjoyed golf, helping others and never shied away from any project. He loved carpentry.  He was an electrician, plumber, mason, wood worker and mechanic rolled into one. He truly never turned away from any project or challenge. His loyalty and devotion as a husband, father, grandfather, an OSU Cowboy and friend, are truly what made Jim happy in this life. Well done good and faithful servant. Mission Accomplished!

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Albert Gass and Lavonna June Jenkins, stepfather Ken Jenkins, and half-sister Ramona. He is survived by his devoted wife Joan, his daughter Deborah Hill of Acworth, GA, his sons Stephen and Brian of Edmond and OKC, his grandchildren Madison Hill, Jacob Hill, Finley Lyons, and Reece Veal, and a host of friends he has touched so deeply.

A celebration of life will be held at the Matthews Funeral Home, 601 S. Kelly, Edmond, Oklahoma on Wednesday, June 19^th, 2024. Viewing is from 12:00-2:00 p.m. with a service officiated by Revered Dave Poteet following at 2:00 p.m. Interment officiated by Revered Burk Hill will be held at Carney Cemetery, 810919 US-177, Carney, Oklahoma, 74832 following the service at 4:30. In lieu of flowers, donations St. Luke’s Methodist church, Edmond Campus or to Wounded Warrior Project are appreciated. Visit www.stlukesokc.org or www.woundedwarriorproject.org to donate in memory of Colonel James M. Gass.

We will be live streaming this service in an effort to accommodate those people that wish to attend but are not able to.  To watch the service CLICK HERE to go to our YouTube page. Click on ‘Videos’, then ‘Live Streams’.