Tributes

The Lord is my strength and my shield, my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and my song will I praise him. (Psalm 28:7) Samantha Gass-Berg Dad even though our relationship wasn’t what it should have been I have always loved you. Without you I wouldn’t be here and my two beautiful daughters wouldn’t be here. I remember when grandpa passed, we just stood together in silence and that was the most comforting time I ever had. I wish we could have had the time to talk. Rest In Peace. Love your daughter, Samantha Rachel Lynn Gass-Small 7/24/1945 The world received James Leon Gass you were 5 th born of 13 children to John and Francis Gass, and I would know you as daddy. Proudly my sons knew you as grandfather aka Paw Paw. I am BLESSED to have been gifted to you as your daughter. I carry many lessons learned from you that have helped shape me to the person I am today and for this I am thankful. Dearest daddy my wisdom whisperer how I miss you and our talks. Many lessons learned. Your teachings included how to care for cast iron, how to make really good fried potatoes and onions with a side of country cream gravy, the best piece of cornbread will always be the corner piece and why not enjoy the simplicity of things like a delicious cake without icing. You reminded me in my youth to be thoughtful and caring towards my brothers and reminded me to not be selfish and share. If I have five of something remember to share at least two with my brothers. I learned that a vacation or a get away doesn’t have to cost money. Getaways could be free just by simply opening a book and letting your imagination take you the distance. READ! I find myself not able to take a drive in the Texas Hill Country without noticing the trees and the layers in the rock and thinking to myself what / who habited the land a century / centuries prior to my arrival. I recall you saying, “ I never said I was your friend I am your dad.” “I am not your Father as there is only one Father.” Daddy helped to understand and learn more about my faith in God. Regardless of my reception of what was being said you communicated what I needed to hear not what I wanted to hear. I am thankful for the support you gave me to my academics playing a key role in asking the core questions that help guide me to my career. I called you one day disappointed in my lack of entry into a nursing program for RN. There was no I feel sorry for you on the other line, I received these words, “Rachel, you need to go to St. Phillips and apply for your LVN. Your LVN will allow you to work while you are working towards your RN. You will have your LVN experience to help you through an RN program.” BEST words EVER!!! I am forever thankful for them as it was true my LVN experience paved the way to the RN that I am today. My brothers and I carry a work ethic that I can say is a true reflection of who you were. We witnessed a man wake up every morning six days a week at 0500 and did not come home any earlier than 1800. You provided without hesitation. Here is a glimpse of what our US Army had to say of our dad. Endorsers Evaluation: “Outstandig” best describes SSG Gass’s performance of his duties and responsibilities. SSG Gass volunteered to be reclassified from the medical field and was awarded a 12 B MOS. He immediately stood out as a leader of men. Never before working with or associated with combat engineer tools, trucks or equipment, SSG Gass’s platoon made astounding progress. His intelligence coupled with the desire to excel turned the platoon into the best line platoon in the battalion. He is now the Platoon Sergeant of an Engineer Equipment Platoon working with dozers, graders, unimogs, and other types of earthmoving equipment after only a few months as an Engineer Squad Leader. Although not trained in school, SSG Gass is well on his way to being the best. In 23 years of service I can honestly say, SSG GASS IS IN A CLASS ALL BY HIMSELF. SSG Gass has developed and implemented a superb driver training program which has resulted in all platoon operators passing the Battalion Motor Officer’s tough driver certification examination. He has proven to be an intelligent Non-Commissioned Officer whose dedication has been indispensable to the success of his platoon. I carry with me Today, Tomorrow, and Forever precious memories of our time together. Your imprint forever ingrained into who I am today. “Keep your head up.” “Not everybody is your friend. They may be an acquaintance.” “Marriage is something you have to work at. A lot of people are til anger do us part.” I LOVE you ALWAYS Daddy! Thank you for ALWAYS believing in me and encouraging me to look ahead. Encouraging me to be a better person. You can rest now. James Olander Gass Thinking about my father conjures memories of the smell of coffee brewing at 5 in the morning and seeing his sweaty redneck late in the evening. Putting in the work was without mention and expected, but what was also expected was self-ownership and living to our own expectations and not the expectations of others. The time and sacrifice he put in to ensure we had a home, health and the essential tools required to succeed in our youths work was always handled - not because it was without struggle, but because it was his expectation to find a way. The impression this approach to self-reliance and expectations has on me is obvious and strong. I owe much of my pursuit of continuous self-education, reliability and personal growth to the characteristics presented by my Dad. It may not always be in my consciousness, but it is there lingering and pushing me every day in the ways that truly count. It's there pushing me to strive for my better and helping me drive my infinite echelon. I also think of the loving times, when my dad would grab me in his strong arms and not let me go till he was done squeezing and nibbling at my ear. Screaming and hollering to get away from my dad but hoping he would try to get me again. Seeing the strong tall intelligent man he was and wishing I would also grow to be like him. In this, you will always be with me in my own way. I love you so much Dad! Thank You! Richard Thomas Gass “What can I say about my dad?” The man who would work six days a week, ten to twelve hours a day so that his kids were never hungry and never cold. The man who could turn a simple drive into an exploration of the world around us. The man who dropped out of high school but was never wavering in his push for his children to be educated and self-determined individuals. You taught me to stand up for myself and what I believe in, even if it may rub others the wrong way. You taught me to hurry up and take my time; to make sure if you’re a thing it’s done right. You taught me it’s ok to cry and it’s ok to hug. I know I would not have made much of myself without the lessons you taught me. I hope that I can continue to make you as proud of me as you always said you were, and I hope that there here and now you have found your peace. Any of the people who were privileged to have known you and the warmth of your love will miss you undoubtedly and without reservation; we will carry with us for a lifetime the memories of you and those many lessons you taught us. Your Loving Son, Richard Luke 23:43- And he said unto him, “Truly I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” Our dad James Leon Gass was born July 24, 1945 in Harrison, AR to John William and Francis Adele Gass who preceded him in his passing and welcomed him home May 8, 2020. Our dad attended School of the Ozarks and Omaha High School although he did not graduate from school he did obtain his GED and gave service of self in our United States Army 12 / 29 / 1964 – 03 / 31 / 1985. During his marriage to Dora Jean Smith they welcomed their daughter their first born, Samantha Jo Gass to the world. While in service our dad met our mother Marva Patricia Hill-Gass in Landstuhl, Germany in which they had a union of twenty-eight years. During their union they welcomed Augustine Francis Gass, Rachel Lynn Gass, James Olander Gass and Richard Thomas Gass. Upon his retirement from the Army our dad worked as a carpenter and then became a Greeter for Wal Mart. Our dad married his current wife Brigette Pinera Gass 3/29/2014 in which he lived in the Philippines with up to the time of his passing. James Leon Gass was preceded in passing by his daughter Augustine Francis Gass, his parents John and Francis Gass, brother Joe Lewis Gass, sister Louise Gass-Dopp, and sister Jesse Fay Gass-Murray. James Leon Gass leaves behind to celebrate his life Daughters Samantha Jo Gass-Berg (husband Buck), Rachel Lynn Gass-Small (husband Samuel), Sons James Olander Gass (wife Cheryl) and Richard Thomas Gass. Grandchildren: Frances and Tabitha Berg, Daunte Olander Small and Jacob Samuel-Alexander Small, Makayla Jade Gass, Hudson James Gass and Melanie Jewel Gass. Surviving siblings: brother John Lewis, Alice Ruth, Jackie Lee, Sharon Kay, Jerry Charles, Leonard Carl, Angilee Marie, Jerald Dean and Sarah Jane. He is also survived by a host of nieces, nephews and cousins. Revelation 21:4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.

Tributes

James Leon Gass

July 24, 1945 - May 8, 2020