James Donald (Jim) Rasch Sr, 71, was born in Florence, Ala., on March 17, 1939 to parents Cornelius and Margeurite Reeder Rasch. He departed this life on March 1, 2011 at his home near Ava, Mo.
On Dec. 9, 1961 he was united in marriage to Miriam L. Cates. He had resided in the Ava area for many years. Jim worked as a pipefitter in the petroleum industry for over 35 years before retiring in 200l.
Jim served in the US Air Force spending four years as a cook where he peeled a lot of potatoes and cracked eggs with one hand without dropping them. He would later use this skill to cook eggs with his children. He loved doing anything in the outdoors; hunting, fishing, swimming with his children, and shooting muzzleloaders.
He enjoyed riding his Harley Davidson motorcycles. He had driven cars in dirt track racing and stock cars. He was a perfectionist. He instilled a dedicated work ethic and strong sense of family in his children. He also passed a love of reading in his children.
Preceding him in death were his parents; his brother, Bobby; his beloved wife, Miriam, and his Grandma Quigley.
Jim is survived by one son, James Donald (Donny) Rasch Jr., of Ava, Mo.; four daughters, Yvonne Dilley of Springfield, Mo., Virginia (Gen) Giles of Ellsinore, Mo., Lynn Watson of Caldwell, Ohio, and Sheila Bunch of Blue Springs, Mo. He is also survived by one sister, Anne Davis and one brother, William (Bill) Rasch, and 14 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. He will also be missed by many other friends and relatives.
Memorial services for Jim were conducted Friday, March 4, at 2 p.m. at the Ava Family Funeral Home Chapel, Ava, Mo. A private burial will follow at a later date. All arrangements were under the care and direction of Ava Family Funeral Home, Ava, Mo.
