James Howard "Jim" Brass, 78, who lived, worked and raised his family on the Bar-X Ranch passed away, Sunday, January 26th, 2014 at Pioneer Lodge. A lifelong resident of Comanche County, Jim was the youngest of 6 children born on April 16, 1935 to Howard and Jeanne Winter Brass. Siblings include Bill Brass, Bob Brass, Betty Brass Goforth, Mary Brass Corliss and Barbara Brass Henkels.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his two brothers, and son, Samuel James Brass.
Except for his four college years, a stint in the Army National Guard, and his retirement years, Jim lived all of his life on the Bar X Ranch on Mule Creek. He started school at Happy Valley, the next year at Happy Hollow and the third at New Eden, frequently riding horse-back to school. From the fourth grade on, he attended school in Wilmore, graduating with the class of 1953. He was a proud member of the Wilmore Tigers football and basketball teams.
Attending college at Kansas State University. He graduated with a degree in Agricultural Economics in 1957, and was an active member of the Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity.
In 1956, Jim married Barbara Brown to which were born Sam, Dave, and Sarah Brass.
Following graduation, Jim joined the Army National Guard where he was a 2nd Lt. During this time Jim moved his family back to the Bar X Ranch, located 25 miles southeast of Coldwater on Mule Creek where he continued in the family ranching business.
As a divorce´, Jim married Carolyn Peterson Westrup on April 16, 1965, a young widow with 2 children, Scott and Emily Westrup.
As a progressive cattleman, Jim was not reluctant to try something new, from stewardship of the land, to different cattle enterprises, including cow-calf, yearling and exotics.
In 2002, Jim and Carolyn moved to Coldwater, turning the ranching business over to his two sons, allowing him more time to hone his pitch playing skills at the Pleasure Club. Jim was a supporter of K-State athletics taking great pleasure in following the Wildcats.
Jim was a believer in the community where he served on the County Extension Council, and County Hospital Board, serving as President for several years.
He was a member of the Kansas Livestock Association, and Coldwater United Methodist Church.
Jim is survived by his wife of 48 years, Carolyn; his children Scott Westrup (Connie), Protection; David Brass (Mindy), Wilmore; Emily Westrup Reif (Michael), Hays; Sarah Brass Olson (Chuck), Wichita, as well as grandchildren Amy Smith, Brett Westrup, Becca Bennett, and Steve Westrup; Chandler, Spencer, and Connor Brass; Hannah and Victoria Brass; Preston, Pierce and Payne Reif; Stephan, Elizabeth and Caroline Olson; as well as 5 great grandchildren, Bretlynn and Brystol Westrup; Odin Reif; and Kanton and Felia Reif.
Funeral Service is 2:00 p.m., Thursday, January 30, 2014, at the United Methodist Church in Coldwater, with the Rev. Gary Merritt presiding. Burial is in Crown Hill Cemetery, Coldwater.
Memorials may be sent to the Comanche County Hospital or Pioneer Lodge Nursing Home, Coldwater, in care of Hatfield-Prusa Funeral Home, P.O. Box 417, Coldwater, KS 67029.