James U. Bass' Obituary
James U. Bass Jr.
Dad was born in Chicago, Illinois (a city boy). He was a delivery man who owned his own business delivering coal, ice, wood, etc. He never really knew his father. His dad's name was James and his mother's name was Nora (maiden name being Brown), who was a minister. His mother died in 1994 shortly after she came to live with him. His brother's name is Franchot, who was two years younger than him.
James was a good student who attended Wilson Jr. College in Chicago. He did a little swimming.
He joined the Army at 19 and gave two years, released at 21. He was a radio operator and message center clerk.
His first job was an Orderly at a Hospital at age 16. He wanted to be a Physician's Assistant. He also worked packing books for Wilcox.
James married Theodora when he was 27 and had two children, Eric and Marc. James was 27 when Eric was born and 32 when Marc was born. James had two grandsons, Gyasi Carter and Kito Isiah and adopted a nephew, Gary Dangerfield, as well as a daughter, Kaye Ngungan. James's son, Eric, had moved to Tacoma -" a cousin was located at McChord AFB, so James decided to move into this area. James met his second wife, Christine, at church in 1987.
James enjoyed his hobbies, one of which was radio-controlled boats and airplanes. Another was woodworking. He began woodworking in 1965 when a doctor asked James to make him a picture frame. At that time all he had was a miter box and a neighbor's radial arm saw. James enjoyed Jazz music. He was a big fan of Count Basie and Duke Ellington. Twenty-five years ago he started playing the trumpet, then the bass horn, then the trombone. He was also an avid reader. James drove bus for 23½ years. He was also an instructor for the RTD in California. He enjoyed spaghetti and meatballs and dining at Carr's and Red Lobster. Chocolate ice cream was his favorite. He loved to travel: New York, Chicago, Houston, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Alaska on a cruise, the Caribbean, the Bahamas, Arizona (Jazz Festival in Sedona). He would have loved to have seen the Hearst Castle in California.
James was diagnosed with Diabetes in 2008.
He will be cremated and laid to rest at Tahoma National Cemetery in Covington, WA.
Arrangements by Mountain View Funeral Home.
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