Dr. James Owen Foss, 94, longtime partner of Minot Veterinary Clinic, died on Friday, November 28, 2008 in a Minot nursing home.

Jim was born on December 24, 1913 in Christine, ND to Ole and Mina (Erickson) Foss. He was reared and educated there and graduated from Christine High School in 1931. James attended Concordia College for one year, Wahpeton State School of Science for two years and a year of pre-med at North Dakota State University prior to graduating from Iowa State University with a doctoral degree in Veterinary Medicine.

James married Mildred Casperson on June 24, 1942 at Walcott, ND. They were happily married for more than 60 years.

Following graduation he was employed in Miami, FL for one year. He returned to Christine, ND and was employed as a professor at NDSU for five years. He moved to Minot, ND in 1946 and joined Dr. Ralph Shigley in a veterinary medicine partnership for five years prior to establishing the Minot Veterinary Clinic in 1951. Dr. Foss was chosen as "Veterinarian of the Year" by the ND Veterinary Medicine Association in 1978. He retired in December of 1979. They continued to make their home in Minot. Millie died on March 13, 2003. Dr. Foss had resided at Edgewood Vista for 3.5 years prior to moving to Manorcare Health Services in January of 2008.

Jim was a longtime and active member of First Lutheran Church in Minot, where he had served on the church council. He was a member of the Kiwanis Club, Elks Lodge for over 45 years and Sons of Norway. He was a former member of the ND Veterinary Medicine Association and served on the Minot Park Board for several terms.

Jim eagerly anticipated hunting every fall. He looked forward to bird hunting with the beloved family dog, "Trixie." He also loved deer hunting and spent many memorable times in the Little Missouri Badlands at the 7-2 Bar Ranch in western North Dakota. Jim loved books, and he spent much of his free time reading. Golfing at Souris Valley and having coffee with close friends were always times filled with good memories and lively discussions! But, most of all, Jim cherished the times spent with his family. He was a devoted husband and in later years, lovingly cared for Millie. Dad was a wonderful father and grandfather and was deeply loved. His family will remember his steadfast faith, infinite patience, integrity and quiet sense of humor. We were all truly blessed to have him in our lives.

James loving family includes his children: Joellen "Joey" (Thomas) Bechtold of Baker, MT; James "Danny" (Linda) Foss of Alexandria, VA and Mary (Michael) Detviler of St. Paul, MN; grandchildren, Joel (Renee) Bechtold, Kristin (John) Mainwaring, Eric (Tara) Bechtold, Heidi (Justin) Sorlie, Jennifer (Phil) Rice, Suzanne Foss, Molly (Greg) Bighley and Mark (Angela) Detviler; great-grandchildren, Trae, Zak, Koby and Brady Bechtold; Carter and Dylan Mainwaring, Cade Sorlie, Olivia and Cole Bechtold and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

James was preceded in death by his parents; wife; sisters, Elizabeth Brady, Dorothy Cort, Ruth Quinnild and Margaret Jensen and brother, Allen Foss.

Funeral Service : Friday, December 5, 2008 at 1:00 p.m. in First Lutheran Church - Minot.
Interment: Rosehill Memorial Park, Minot.
Visitation: Thursday from 2:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m . in Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.
In lieu of plants and flowers memorials are preferred to First Lutheran Church, Minot or the Minot Park District Foundation.