James H. Kyes, 94, Minot, former longtime Minot educator, passed away peacefully on Thursday, June 1, 2017, in Minot.

James Harry Kyes was born in 1923 to James E. and Cissie (Jennison) Kyes in Smith Township, Towner County, North Dakota. He was reared and educated in Towner County, graduating in 1940 from Hansboro High School.

After high school, he served in the Civilian Conservation Corps until 1942, when he moved to Spokane, WA, where he was employed at an aircraft factory. On June 1, 1943, James was drafted into the U.S. Army Air Corps and commissioned as an officer in August 1944. He served with the 15th Air Force as a B-24 Navigator during WWII, flying out of Italy until April of 1945. James was united in marriage to Pearl E. Wicks on July 22, 1945, in Rolla, ND.

During his 21 years of active duty service in the Air Force, he was stationed, along with his family, on bases in the US, Japan, and Germany. He returned to North Dakota and retired from the Air Force in 1963. They then made their home in Minot, where he attended Minot State Teacher's College and graduated in 1966 with a degree in Mathematics Education. He taught math for the Minot Public School system, primarily at Jim Hill Junior High School, until retiring in 1986.

James attended Faith United Methodist Church and had memberships with Minot Rifle & Pistol Club, Golden Kiwanis, NDEA, NEA, MEA, and the Retired Air Force Association. Over the years, he enjoyed many hobbies, some of which included amateur (ham) radio, building/flying U-Control and free fly model airplanes, hunting, fishing, gardening, reading, Minot Symphony, plays, and he and Pearl delivered Meals on Wheels together for 40 years.

James is survived by his loving family, wife of 71 years, Pearl; children, James H. Jr. (Susan) Kyes, Duluth, MN, and Sally (Gary) Connor, Kalispell, MT; one grandchild: James Lewis (Kerri Persons) Kyes of Duluth; three great grandchildren: James Alan Kyes, Julia Elizabeth Kyes, and Keegan Persons; sister, Norma (Robert) Timms, Cando, ND; sister-in-law, Mabel Kyes, Cedar Rapids, IA; several cousins in Canada and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Ben Kyes; infant sister, Betty Lois Kyes.

Funeral Service: Tuesday, June 13, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. in Faith United Methodist Church, 5900 Hwy 83 North, Minot, with a luncheon and fellowship to follow.
Interment: Tuesday, June 13 at 3:00 p.m. at the ND Veterans Cemetery, Mandan.
Visitation: Monday, June 12 from 3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. in Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.
Memorials: In lieu of flowers or plants, the family prefers memorials be designated to Faith United Methodist Church or an organization of the donor\'s choice.