James Kokesh

Hastings resident, Jim P. Kokesh, 56, of 427 Sunset Dr., died Tuesday March 2, 2004 at the Grand Island Veterans Medical Center in Grand Island, Nebraska.

Rosary service will be Friday, March 5, 2004; 7:30 P.M. at Butler-Volland Chapel. Mass of Christian Burial will be Saturday, March 6, 2004; 10:00 A.M. at St. Michael's Catholic Church with Father Michael Houlihan officiating. Burial with military rites will be in Parkview Cemetery, all in Hastings, Nebraska.

Mr. Kokesh was born March 27, 1947 in Minneapolis, Minnesota to Frank & Rose (Kraemer) Kokesh. He graduated from Benilde High School, St. Louis Park, Minnesota in 1965 and attended Lewis College in Joliet, Illinois. He served in the United States Air Force from May 1968 until January 1972. He graduated from Brown Institute in Minneapolis, Minnesota. In 1973, he moved to Fairbury, Nebraska and was news Director/Announcer for KGMT Radio Station until July 1978.On April 27, 1978, he married Trish Gill in Fairbury, Nebraska. In October 1979, they moved to Hastings, Nebraska where he was Operations Director for KHAS Radio. In 1986, he became General Manager of KHAS Radio until 1992 when he retired due to health reasons. He was a member of St. Michael's Catholic church and Knights of Columbus 3rd Degree. He was a past member of the National Board of Directors for the CBS Radio Affiliates, Nebraska Broadcasters' Association Board of Directors and Central Community College Radio Advisory Board. He was also a past member of Adams county Senior Services Board of Directors, past Vice President of the Adams County Literacy Advisory Board, past President of Hastings' Sertoma and a past member of Hastings Area Chamber of Commerce.

Mr. Kokesh was preceded in death by his parents.

He is survived by:
Wife: Trish Kokesh - Hastings, NE
Sons: James Kokesh - Omaha, NE
Brian Kokesh - Kearney, NE
Daniel Kokesh - Omaha, NE
Sister: Susan Layton - Minnetonka, MN
Brothers & Sisters-in-law: Frank & Sue Kokesh - Ocala, FL
Fritz & Judy Kokesh - Cambridge, MA

In lieu of flowers, memorial to the National MS Society for Research.

VISITATION:
Thur. 3-4-04; 5pm-9pm
Fri. 3-5-04; 9am-9pm
Sat. 3-6-04; 1 hr. prior to service at the church