James Leonard KVASNICKA

Enid News and Eagle Enid, Garfield Co., OK

01-11-2012

Submitted by: Jo Aguirre

Our beloved father, grandfather and great-grandfather, Jim Kvasnicka, went to join his Heavenly Father, family and friends on Monday, Jan. 9, 2012, at his home in Enid, Okla.

He was born March 13, 1927, in Republic Co., Kan., to Edward Leonard and Verna (Stephens) Kvasnicka at the home of his paternal grandparents, Wes and Rosa (Bilek) Kvasnicka, whose homestead and farm was located a few miles north of Narka, Kan. The story was told that after he was born, he was placed in a large boot box that sat on the open door of his grandmother's kitchen stove to keep him warm that cold March day.

He attended East Star School, Dist. 44, a rural school near Narka, Kan., and graduated from Jefferson High School in Portland, Ore. Jim joined the Army Air Force and was ultimately sent to Japan. After serving two years, he received an honorable discharge as corporal on Jan. 11, 1947. In 1952, he graduated from Kansas State University with a bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering. On June 7, 1953, he and Charlotte Lorraine (Evers) Kvasnicka were joined in marriage at First Methodist Church in Mitchell, S.D.

They were always a team. Jim worked for four years at Westinghouse Electric in Kansas City, Mo., prior to moving to Enid, Okla. He began his career with George E. Failing Co. in 1957, where he designed drilling rigs. He was called "Kvas" by many of his friends and co-workers. He rose from project engineer to chief of engineering to double vice-president of engineering and manufacturing. While at Failings, he traveled to many locations such as Australia, Canada, China, France and India to either oversee the setting up of drilling operations or to acquire or sell drilling equipment. After 34 years, he was able to enjoy a well-deserved retirement.

Jim was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 53 years, Charlotte, on Jan. 5, 2007; his father, Edward; his mother, Verna; and his sisters, Eva, Virginia and Ramona. He leaves two daughters, Carol Kvasnicka Garcia and husband Louis of Blue Springs, Mo., and Nancy Kvasnicka Hilterbrand and husband Bill of Pond Creek; grandchildren, Billy Waite, Lezlie and husband Brent Simunek, Lori and husband Matt Toone, Brett and Michael Fleming and Jennifer and husband Grant Janzen; four great-grandsons, Mason Simunek, Luke and Benjamin Janzen and Caleb James Toone; three great-granddaughters, Ragan and Brinley Simunek and Brooke Janzen; along with many nieces and nephews.

He once said he would like his epitaph to say, "Happy, happy, love to all, no regrets."