James "Jim" Paul Kass

James Paul “Jim” Kass, of Groesbeck, Texas, passed away on Saturday, May 31, 2014, at the Farmers Market in Groesbeck, TX., at age 71. A MEMORIAL SERVICE will be held on Friday, June 6, 2014, at 6:30 P.M. in his garden at 1684 LCR 374 (Honest Ridge Rd.), Groesbeck, TX. Another Memorial service will be held at a later date in his hometown of Dubuque, where he will be buried near his parents. Jim was born September 25, 1942, to John Peter Kass and Cecilia Elizabeth (Irmen) Kass in Dubuque, Iowa, where he grew up and attended school. He lived most of his adult life on the East Coast. He served in the U. S. Army a few years, and then worked many years in his early adult life as a lineman in Pennsylvania and New York. He spent many winter days up on an electric pole. Jim then spent approximately the next fifteen years driving a Semi across the United States. He really enjoyed his travels, and the opportunity to visit in all 50 states. Jim retired about six years ago, and chose Limestone County, Texas to make his home, selling his semi after moving here. Few people locally knew that Jim was a published poet and published author of four books. He had written two autobiographies and two fiction novels in the past ten years and had written poems and short stories for much longer. After settling in Limestone County, he had more time to continue his lifelong hobby of gardening. He was a phenomenal gardener for his entire life, with his kids eating fresh vegetables out of the garden. With his local garden, he said he was out of the house by daybreak and in the house by noon. He sold his produce locally at the garden and took some to the Farmers Market in Groesbeck, and canned a large amount for his use. Jim was content and happy living in Limestone County and passed away while doing what he loved. Jim was preceded in death by his parents, John and Cecelia Kass and his brother, John Kass. He is survived by son and daughter-in-law, William J. Kass and Dianne Maresh of Minneapolis, MN; daughter and son-in-law, Elizabeth and Roland Fritz of Dubuque, IA; son, James Michael Kass of Dubuque, IA; son and daughter-in-law, Eric and Jennifer Kass of Dodgeville, WI; son, Jon Kass of Waco, TX.; and daughters, Nicole Kass and Ashley Kass of Harrisburg, PN; ten grandchildren; and 1 great grandchild. He is also survived by four sisters: Gertrude and husband Clarence Dietz of Dubuque, IA; Mary Kass of North Liberty, IA; Juanita and husband Bill Tigges of Dubuque, IA; and Sister Betty Kass of Alberta, Canada; one brother, Nick Kass and Al of Dubuque, IA; and many nieces and nephews.