More detail on this person: James Edward Gauze RAPID CITY - James Edward Gauze, 70, Rapid City, South Dakota passed away Saturday, 23 September 2006, at the VA Hospital in Temple, Texas, with his wife Aletha and his family by his side. He was born on December 15th, 1935 at Ft. Meade, South Dakota to Harry and Rose Gauze. He attended his early years of school in Cheyenne, Wyoming; Spearfish, and then Rapid City, South Dakota. Jim joined the National Guard in Rapid City while in high school. In the years to come, he attended the National Guard Schools and became a helicopter pilot and then on to college at Black Hills State University. He flew H13s, H23s, H21s, Hueys and Chinooks. In December 1961, he was assigned to Ft. Bragg, North Carolina and then they moved 21 times in the next 24 years. He returned to Ft. Hood, Texas, as a Director of Logistics, retiring in 1988. His assignments included two tours in the Vietnam war, a tour to Korea, Germany and Norway. During these years, Jim attended the Transportation Advanced Course, the Command & General Staff College and the Army War College. Combining National Guard and active duty time, he gave 33 years to his country. Jim went back to College for a year, became consultant for Kellogg Brown & Root for seven years. When President Clinton took more taxes than Jim's take home pay, he took up camping. By this time, he had a granddaughter. So with grandma and granddaughter in tow, they started taking off to go fishing and traveling to see State Capitals and dear friends. When Jim wasn't on the road, he spent his free time creating additions to their home, yard, and gardening. Since Jim was gone for so much of his children's youth, he made up by loving his grandkids. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends, who respected and loved him so much. Jim was preceded in death by his father, Harry Edward Gauze; his aunt, Olena Buan; his mother, Rose Buan Gauze Erz; and his stepfather, Leo Erz. Jim is survived by his wife of 45 years, Aletha; his daughters, Johna of College Station, Texas; Kris of Kempner, Texas; his son, Heath of Killeen, Texas; Jethro Prugh, adopted son, United States Army; 6 grandchildren, Maranda, Hannah and Joe Gauze; Shelley, Kelley and Lindsey Lewis and 5 great-grandchildren, Mathew, Kelsey, Landri, Blake and Ainsley. And last, but not least his "Peek-A-Boo", the four legged child of the family. A silly little stray that brought lots of love and fun when she moved in five years ago. Services were held at the 1st Cavalry Chapel, Ft. Hood, Texas, Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2006.Services will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2006 at the Black Hills National Cemetery with Chaplain Moe Greiner officiating. Military honors will be provided by Rushmore VFW Post 1273 Honor Guard. Memorial Donations will be sent to Walter Reed Army Hospital to help the troops returning from overseas. Services are under the direction of the Osheim-Catron Funeral Home.
Burial information: James Edward Gauze
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Date posted on this site: 03/10/2024
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