James Carl (Jim) Kish, 79, of Henderson, Nevada, passed away on February 1, 2021.
Jim was raised in Minneapolis, Minnesota, later moving to Coon Rapids, and graduating Anoka High School in 1959. He served his country in the United States Air Force. He was a patriot and deeply proud of his service. He attended the University of Minnesota on the G.I. Bill and graduated in 1969 with B.S. in Physics.
Jim is survived by his daughter, Laura Lee (James) Rogers of Santa Rosa, California, his son, Randall James (Lori) Kish, of Austin, Texas, as well as his granddaughter, Austin Lindsay Rogers and grandsons, Bennett James Rogers and Gavin Flanagan. He is survived by his brother, Darell John (Cheryl) Kish of Minneapolis, Minnesota, and nieces Shari (Justin) Kish and Juliette (Rich) Kish Bellefeuille, and nephew Robert John (Cindy) Kish and their families. He is survived by his former wife and dear friend, Kathleen Kidner of Henderson, Nevada, and her children and grandchildren, with whom he spent much of his last decade. He remained friends with Eva Lynn (Hoffpauir) Kish, mother of Laura and Randall, and with Dale Stabrow and her children, and with Louisa Weissman and her family.
He is preceded in death by his father, Ladislav (Laci) James Kish, and his mother, Alice Marie (Berg) Kish Bucko.
Although a physicist by education and training and a serial entrepreneur throughout his life, Jim was an engineer at heart and loved working on complex problems and equipment. He loved travel, good company, good barbeque, making friends around the country and around the world, and he especially loved being a husband, a father and a grandfather.
A celebration of Jim’s life will be held at Christ the Servant Lutheran Church in Henderson, Nevada on Sunday, September 5, 2021 at 3pm (Address: 2 S. Pecos Rd. Henderson, NV 89074). Reception immediately following at the home of Kathleen Kidner in Henderson, Nevada. For more information or directions, please email Laura Rogers at roghome@sonic.net.
Jim’s ashes will be interred at Ft. Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis, Minnesota, at a later date.
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I am very sorry to hear about Jim’s passing. I remember going over to Laci’s house as a child and totally awed by the train set going throughout the basement. I also enjoyed the homemade (?) sailboat I believe Jim and Daryll made that we used up at Big Sandy Lake. The Kish family was a big part of my grandparents and dad’s history. I accidently ran across this while trying to find history on Laci and Alice. May you rest in peace Jim.
Terry, thank you for your kind words. I have become the family historian due to my interest in genealogy and have lots of information on my grandparents, Alice and Laci. I remember hearing many stories about the Ocels from my dad and Uncle Darrell. Feel free to reach out, my email is roghome@sonic.net. Laura (Kish) Rogers.
Lots of great memories of Jim and the Kish family, as they were our neighbors in New Hampshire in the 70s and 80s. Memories of hanging out at the University of New Hampshire MUB (where Jim worked) during summers when he would take Randy and I when we were kids. Also remember his cool electronics “lab” in the basement of his house…sleeping out in a tent in the back-yard the night of a lunar eclipse…and so much more. Super intelligent guy. RIP.