James August Kaufer, 90, Minot and formerly of Tioga died on Thursday, December 19, 2013 in a Tioga hospital.

James Kaufer was born September 16th 1923 in Kenmare, North Dakota to August and Thelma Kaufer. He attended school and graduated from Noonan High School in 1941.

Jim was active in basketball, football, and Boy Scouts of America eventually earning the Eagle Scout medal.

Jim began his employment with the Great Northern Railroad on April 4th 1942 as an Agent-Telegrapher. While an Agent at Selz N.Dak, he decided to enter the U.S. Navy on March 30th 1944. He attended Boot Camp at the Great Lakes Naval Station, then Radio Technician School at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, then Submarine School in New London Connecticut. After additional Radar, Radio, and Sonar training he was transferred to Submarine Division 101 in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. With his excellent typing and telegraphy skills from the railroad, his roles in the Navy included Pacific Fleet Communications and Submarine Radioman; also Submarine repair and replenishment when subs would return to port.

Jim earned his Honorable Discharge from the Navy February 5th 1946 and resumed his railroad career at Aylmer N.Dak as Agent. While in Aylmer, Jim met Jeanne B. Huff who also was a Great Northern R.R. Telegrapher. They were married January 1st 1948 in Minot. Jim also served as Commander of the Oswold-Wohl V.F.W. Post #6831 in Anamoose.

From 1950 to 1957, Jim worked as a Train Dispatcher for the Great Northern R.R. in Minot.

In 1960, Jim moved the family to Powers Lake while assuming the Agent duties there; also serving as Command of the American Legion Post.

In 1966, he was named Agent at Tioga and White Earth N.Dak. Additional Agent duties eventually included Ray and Epping. He was member and President of the Tioga School Board for 6 years and assisted with the First Lutheran Luther League.

In 1977, Jim again transferred to Minot (Burlington Northern R.R.) to work in the Gavin Yard Central Agency and Material Department. He retired September 30th 1983.

Jim was a member of St. Mark's Lutheran Church & its Saints Alive retiree group, Order of Railroad Telegraphers Club, Minot Railroad Museum, American Legion Post #26, Trinity Hospital volunteer, Amateur Radio Operator (WFOM), and WWII Last Man's Club.

In 1994, Jim and Jeanne purchased a house in Mesa Arizona and enjoyed the warm Arizona winters for 13 years.

In Sept 2010, Jim was able to participate in the Roughrider Honor Flight to the WWII Memorial in Wash., DC. He was the only N.Dak submariner to ever attend this wonderful and emotional trip. Veteran's and non-veterans would applaud the group as they approached the memorial thanking them for their service to our country.

Jim's loving family includes children: Deborah (Craig) Eraas of Minot; Gail (Timothy) Joyce of Tioga; Steven (Lynette) Kaufer of Phoenix, Az; Grandchildren: Nathan Eraas of Minot, Natalie(Casey) Skovran of Bismarck, and Matthew Eraas of Hebron; Jennifer (Gerard) Ramberg of Snowflake, Az; Patrick, Ryan, and Andrew Joyce of Tioga; Jared Kaufer of Flagstaff, Az., Jonathan Kaufer of Phoenix, Az.; Great Grandchildren: Olivia and James Ramberg of Snowflake, Az; Sister Delores (Norris) Fagerland of Devils Lake, and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, wife (Jeanne), sister: Alice (Walter) Enget, and grandson: Jamie Kane.

Funeral Service: Sunday, December 22, 2013 at 3:00 p.m. in St. Mark's Lutheran Church - Minot.
Interment : Sunset Memorial Gardens - Minot.
Visitation : Saturday from noon until 5:00 p.m. in Thomas Family Funeral Home - Minot.
Memorials are preferred to the Roughrider Honor Flight.