James W. Wind, 69, passed away from pancreatic cancer on Jun 26, 1997, at home, under the are of his wife, Pearl.
Mr. Wind was a long-time resident of Kalkaska, since 1956. He taught math and science in Ellsworth and Farwell for five years before accepting the position of principal of Kalkaska High School. He retired in 1982 after 26 years. Mr. Wind served in WWII as General MacArthur's Honor Guard at the Far East Command in Tokyo, Japan.
He was born Sep 7, 1927, in Mt Pleasant, IA, to Horace and Mabel (Oberman) Wind. Jay was married 29 years to Virginia M. Wind, who preceded him in death. Also preceding him in death were two sisters and two grandsons.
Jay was a member of Calvary Baptist church of Kalkaska. In thought and in action, he was a Christian man. Jay once stated that he loved God, his wife, his family, and then his airplane-in that order. He also loved cookies, his friends here and in Florida, fishing, hunting, woodworking, gardening and oil painting. Jay was a very intelligent and wise man of few words, who gently and lovingly mentored his grandchildren.
Jay is survived by Pearl, his wife of 16 years; son Carl (JoAnn) of Kalkaska; daughter Connie (Kimber) Kauffman of Indianapolis, IN; step children Karen (Richard) Hodgman of Kalkaska, Barbara (Michael) Imhoff of Traverse City, Nancy (Richard) Chickering of Napoleon, OH, and Melvin (Susan) Spencer of Kalkaska; sister Barbara (Dick) Lewis of Greeley, CO; brother Richard Wind of Stockton, CA; grandchildren, Matthew and Sandy Wind, Kayla, Mallory, and Paige Kauffman, Michelle Mitchell, Kris Imhoff, Mary Deb Hoenicke, Timm and Jonathan Chickering, Nathan and Daniel Spencer; adn great grandchild Rachael Chickering.
Funeral services were held Sat, Jun 28, 1997, at Wolfe Funeral Home in Kalkaska. Rick Chickering, Dan Johnson, Kimber Kauffman, and Michael Steere officiated. Burial was in Evergreen Cemetery. Military rites were conducted under the auspices of Land O'Lakes VFW Post 8684.
Memorials may be made to Calvary Baptist Church, Kalkaska Church of Christ, or North Country Hospice.
