1945
2017
JAMES DAVID BASS
Grimes
James "Jim" Bass, 71, died at Mercy Hospital in Des Moines, IA, on Sunday, March 12, 2017 at 4:05 a.m. as a result of complications from a massive stroke and Myasthenia Gravis. A Celebration of Life service will be held at Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church in West Des Moines on Thursday, March 16th at 2:00 p.m. A committal service is planned for 2 p.m. Friday at Spirit Lake Memorial Gardens followed by an additional Celebration of Life service at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Spirit Lake at 2:30 p.m.
Jim was born on November 15, 1945 in Pontiac, Michigan, the son of D. George Bass and Angeline Frances Chantiny Bass. He graduated in 1964 from Reese High School in Reese, Michigan. Jim married Ann Ayres on November 23, 1979 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Reese, Michigan.
Work History:
• Auxiliary Police Office for Reese, Michigan
• Over the road truck driver
• Reese Plumbing and Heating, Reese Michigan
• Owner of Bass Plumbing and Heating, Spirit Lake, IA
• Machine operator at Joy Dirt Construction, Cushing, IA
• Maintenance at Crescent Beach Resort, Okoboji, IA; Cutty's, Okoboji, IA; Dallas Center- Grimes School District, Grimes, IA
• Special Ed Associate at AOMV Middle School, Anthon, IA
• Bus Driver at Anthon Oto- Maple Valley School District; Anthon, IA; and Dallas Center- Grimes School District, Grimes, IA
• Retired shortly after being diagnosed with Myasthenia Gravis
He was an active member of Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church in West Des Moines.
He is survived by his wife, Ann Marie Ayres Bass of Grimes; four siblings, Leonard (Holly) Bass of Watrousville, MI, Joan Reddout of Vassar, MI, Judy (Jim) Manning of Vassar, MI, and Dean (Karen) Bass of Bay City, MI; mother-in-law, Mary Lou Ayres of Spirit Lake, IA; brother-in-law & sister-in-law, Rick (Sue) Ayres of Spirit Lake, IA; nieces and nephews, Sara Bass, Neal Freeland, Erika (Jamie) Sisson, Aaryn Richard (David Templeton), Laura and Emily Bass, Laura Ayres (Matt) Garred, Emily Ayres, Laura (Matt) Fouty, Lisa (Blake) Norris; six great-nieces and nephews; and his beloved dog, Brody. Jim was preceded in death by his parents and father-in-law, Dick Ayres.
Visitation will be held from 5 to 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, March 15th at McLaren's Resthaven Chapel in West Des Moines, IA. Memorial contributions may be directed to the Animal Rescue League of Iowa, Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America, or Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church. Online tributes may be left at: www.mclarensresthavenchapel.com
Jim never knew stranger. He always enjoyed people. The students at school and on the bus always loved "Jim". He was a very supportive husband in Ann's school and church activities (built musical sets, hauled & repaired musical equipment, sound technician, and making Ann's lunches.) Jim enjoyed spending time in the woods, cutting and splitting wood, working on "projects", fishing, camping, traveling, and spending time at the cottage on Big Spirit. He enjoyed spending time with his family, friends and his many dogs throughout the years. On Jim's resurrection Sunday… he traded his walker and wheel chair for a set of wings to fly to heaven with his tool belt strapped on, ready to fix things for the Lord.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Sponsored by McLarens Resthaven Chapel & Mortuary.
March 17, 2017
To all the Bass family an friends, my love and sorrow are with u all. Although I really didn't know Jim , I do know Dean an Karen, an their parents. I will be keeping Jim and family all in my prayers! Wish I could do more. Your a wonderful family! All my Love Pat Yuenger.
March 17, 2017
Dan Kaufeld
The three Bass brothers were quite a team! Very interesting to have as cousins! When we were all a lot younger... and got together for a visit, there was always something new and exciting (and sometimes a little crazy) going on. The loss of Jim is a major impact. We will all miss him.
March 16, 2017
Steve & Pam Palm
It was wonderful to see you again on Wednesday, yet under such sad circumstances. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this very difficult time. You and Jim have been such a big part of our family and the rest of the Grimes community. We join in with the rest of the DC-G family as we embrace you with all our love. All our children's lives have been richly blessed by having you and Jim a part of their upbringing. God Bless you Ann Bass!
Steve, Pam, Ryley, & Preston Palm
March 15, 2017
Marsha Hill
2nd Story Shared my Marsha Hill- from Reese, Michigan
But the one with the car, that girl ran the red light smashed back of my 67 Chevy, I went to Kamms in Reese to buy a new wheel cover and Leonard saw me, told me to bring the car over to his house. So, The two of them hooked a chain around my back bumper and around that big old tree in the driveway. Then three or four times they drove my car and jerked that bumper back out of the vehicle and each time that car would come to the end of that chain, it would come up in the air and It just like having the accident all over again. When they were done pulling the bumper out then they took a 4 x 4 piece of wood held it against the tree and backed the car into the wood to get it straightened out the other way. That tree took a lot of beating that day, but when they were done the car was drivable. Then Jim used a Molly I think it was called and tapped some of the crinkles out shot it was some paint and it lasted six more years. We finally took the motor out of that car and Leonard put it in a cherry picker. And my dad made a deal Leonard could use the cherry picker anytime if he put my engine in it. Hope these stories help, hang in there.
March 15, 2017
Marsha Hill
From Marsha Hill: Sharing a memory...
Here's a story,
When Jim was a truck driver I went with him on a run up to Alpena or someplace like that it was pretty cool. One time we went to see the ice come up on the shores somewhere up there that was neat. I remember one time some kids stole Dean's bike and Jim came home had his vest on from trucking, and I can still him walking down that sidewalk to where those kids were, with a very determined look -he came back with the bike in his hands.
One time I was over there visiting the family and Jim had just come back from hauling molasses I think it was , and he laid on the floor in the front room, the family watching TV and that little dachshund licked his face all over- said it was because he liked the molasses, it was funny.
March 15, 2017
Marsha Hill
Ann, so sorry to hear about Jim, he was a great guy, and you were a wonderful couple! You asked for a favorite story: back about 1975, a girl ran a red light smashing the rear quarter panel of my 67 Chevy! Jim and Leonard hooked a chain on the rear bumper and around a tree and pulled the bumper straight. Jim hammered out most of the wrinkles, shot it was some paint, looked pretty good.
March 15, 2017
Eileen Schrader
March 14, 2017
Ardine Burgess
Dean, Karen, and Bass family,
So very sorry to hear of your loss.
Ardine KC8VPU
March 14, 2017
Laura Hanna
Dear Ann-Lavila told me about Jim's passing. I am sorry for your loss. Please know that thoughts and prayers are with you at this sad time.
Laura Hanna
March 14, 2017
Larry Meggers
Ann, Sorry to hear of your loss. My prayers are with you and your family. We have the Blessed Assurance that we will see Jim when we are reunited with him in the house of the Lord.
March 14, 2017
Doug/Carolyn Drake
Ann our thoughts and prayers are with you.jim Will be missed by many including us.
March 14, 2017
Ethan Kleckner
So sorry to hear this. My thoughts and prayers are with you Ann.
March 14, 2017
Thomas Kern
Dear ann, so sorry to hear about Jim. Junanne and I will keep you in our prayers. Love, Tom and junanne kern. 7747. 95th Ave.canadian lakes, mi. 49346. As you can see we have moved.
March 14, 2017
Connie/Bill Wymer
Ann, we are so sorry to hear of Jim's passing and know he will be greatly missed. He stopped in the office awhile back when you were staying at the lake, just to say ' hi'. We enjoyed the visit. God Bless you and your family at this difficult time.
March 14, 2017
Friend
Bill and Cele Thompson
Dear Ann,
Our prayers are with you. Jim was a great guy!
March 13, 2017
Debra Powell (Goss)
I'm so sorry to hear of Jim's passing. My prayers are with the Bass family. May God comfort you in this sorrowful time.
March 13, 2017
Mary Ann Koder
Dear Ann, so sorry for your loss. May the Lord hold you tight and give you strength. Prayers for blessed memories and peace in your heart.
Mary Ann Koder & Family
March 13, 2017
Ann, I'm sorry to hear of Jim's passing. He was a kindhearted man, and I couldn't agree more-he never knew a stranger. I will keep you in my prayers!
March 13, 2017
Peggy Rick
I will never forget when Ann and Jim came to our home during the flood of '93. After helping us install a sump pump, the chain saw came out and there Jim was saying a tree down to prevent it from hitting our hoist. Jim and Ann have always been there with my losses. I hope I can repay. I truly believe Jim is up in heaven repairing and helping all the other angels out. Hugs to the family.
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McLarens Resthaven Chapel & Mortuary801 19th Street, West Des Moines, IA 50265
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McLarens Resthaven Chapel & Mortuary801 19th Street, West Des Moines, IA 50265
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