Raymond James Bass

Raymond James Bass was born on January 4, 1935 in Currie, Minnesota the son of John and Frances (Hlavacek) Bass. Ray grew up in the Worthington, MN, area where he graduated from high school and attended Junior College. In 1957, he joined the US Army and served until 1960. Upon his return from the service he went to work selling insurance for American Republic Insurance Company, he worked for them from 1966 until he retired in 2016. On March 1, 1973, Ray married Mary Westman at Augustana Lutheran Church in St. James. The couple made their home and raise their two boys in St. James. He was a member on the St. James American Legion, watching the Vikings and Twins and other sports events, he was an avid fisherman and loved spending time with his family at the lake cabin. Ray also enjoyed doing yard work around the home and bird watching. He was an avid pool player in his day. He loved to play Quidder, Skip Bo and cribbage. He was a kind and generous person with a gentle soul and will be truly missed by his family and friends. Raymond Bass died on Thursday, September 29, 2016 at the Mayo Clinic Health System - St. James, he was 81 years of age. Ray is survived by his wife Mary Bass of St. James, sons; Bruce (Chrisy) Bass of St. James, Ryan Bass of St. James, grandchildren; Arianna, Michael, Shane, Tyler, mother-in-law Donna Westman of St. James, 2 sistes-in-law; Leona Resick of St. James and Muriel Resick of Watertown, SD. He is preceded in death by his parents, granddaughter Kiara Bass, 4 brothers, 3 sisters and his father-in-law Everett Westman. Visitation 1 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm Monday, October 3, 2016 Sturm Funeral Home, St. James Chapel 906 - 10th Ave. S. St. James, Minnesota, United States 56081 Service Information 1:00 pm Monday, October 3, 2016 Sturm Funeral Home, St. James Chapel 906 - 10th Ave. S. St. James, Minnesota, United States 56081 Interment Information Mt. Hope Cemetery, St. James S. CR 27 St. James, Minnesota, United States 56081 Military Honors to be provided by the St. James Veterans Honor Guard.