Jim served from 1955 - 1983.
He is the son of John and Clara Kasperbauer and attended Ewoldt #3 Country School.
He graduated from Manning High School in 1955.

Jim proudly served in the Air Force for 28 years. Jim was awarded many commendations including Distinguished Flying Cross with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, Meritorious Service Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters, Air Medal with 12 Devices, Air Force Commendation Medal with 12 Oak Leaf Clusters, Distinguished Presidential Unit Citation, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor Device and 10 Oak Leaf Clusters, Air Force Organizational Excellence Award, Combat Readiness Medal, Good Conduct Medal with One Silver, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Vietnam Service Medal with 15 Devices, Air Force Longevity Service Ribbon with 5 Oak Leaf Clusters, Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Device and more. In 1968, Jim was presented with a silver chafing dish engraved: 21 AF, High Flying Time Award, Capt. James C. Kasperbauer, C-141. 1298 Hours. This award as the inscription suggests, recognized Jim for setting a record for the most hours in flight for his unit.

Jim saw combat as a Forward Air Control (FAC) flying low and slow in an OV-10 in South East Asia, taking on small arms fire from the enemy. One of Jim's most notable missions was his involvement in the rescue of Gene Hambleton, call sign Bat-21 in 1972. Lt. Col. Hambleton evaded enemy using his knowledge of golf courses. The rescue of Bat-21 from behind North Vietnamese lines was the "largest, longest, and most complex search-and-rescue" operation during the Vietnam War. The rescue of Bat-21 was dangerous and directly resulted in the deaths of eleven airmen, the capture of two others, and another airman trying to evade capture. The added deaths, loss of aircraft, and length of the rescue operation led the USAF to change the way they planned and conducted search and rescue missions. As a result, the USAF developed new techniques and equipment to improve their ability to rescue downed airmen. Jim shared with his daughters in spite of the danger he faced, that he was never afraid. He prayed before every flight and his faith-learned from his parents-sustained and protected him. Jim flew in 274 combat missions, over 900 combat hours.

In the late 1960s-early 1970s, Jim was based out of Charleston, South Carolina, where he befriended Margaret "Marge" Craig. In 1970, Jim went to visit Marge in her hometown of Easley and met her family on his way to an assignment flying out of Atlanta. As Marge drove Jim to the airport in Atlanta, and with the two never having been on a date, Jim told Marge that he had always loved her and wanted to marry her. On June 5, 1971, the two were married and the rest is history. Jim and Marge lived on Wright Patterson AFB when Susan and Jean were born in 1973 and 1974, then off to Portsmouth, Virginia, where daughter Jamie was born in 1975. The family of five moved to Andrews AFB near Washington DC before moving to Memphis in 1979, where Jim was in charge of the AFROTC Program and a Professor of Aerospace Studies at Memphis State University. As fate would have it, Jim and Marge fell in love with the house and neighborhood where his predecessor, Bert Walker, at MSU lived with his family and the Kasperbauers bought the Walkers' home on Tigrett Cove. While at MSU, the detachment at Memphis State was cited three consecutive years for enrollment growth and earned the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award.

When in 1983 Jim retired at the rank of Lt. Colonel, after 28 years in the Air Force, the family opted to stay in Memphis on Tigrett Cove. On Tigrett Cove, the Kasperbauers were blessed with neighbors who became like family and with whom we are still close today. One of Jim's passions developed while on Tigrett Cove-weekly volleyball matches every Sunday beginning in the early 1980s and lasting until Jim and Marge relocated to Collierville to be closer to two of their daughters. Jim organized volleyball tournaments every July in their backyard that raised thousands of dollars for charity and was lauded in several newspaper articles. After retiring from the Air Force, Jim worked briefly with Fr. Don Mallory at Youth Services before launching a second career in the financial services industry at Waddell & Reed. Jim worked at Waddell & Reed, helping hundreds of clients "make the most of their financial future." Jim earned numerous awards while in financial services including the "Million Dollar Club" in recognition of reaching the ten million dollar plateau in investment sales. In 2010, Jim retired from Waddell & Reed but remained active in civic organizations like the Germantown Chamber of Commerce, Leadership Germantown and Leadership Collierville. He especially loved to attend ribbon cuttings and always liked to spot himself in a photo in the newspaper. It was at many of these Chamber functions that folks began to take notice of his "luck" when it came to winning door prizes. Jim would say, "you lose 100% of the times you fail to enter or try," so he entered many raffles and drawings over the years. Perhaps the most unbelievable prize won was through a drawing at their credit union. With his signature folds and creases on his entry, Jim won a week-long, all-expense paid trip for two to Euro-Disney in Paris.

In his second retirement, Jim enjoyed participating in the Senior Olympics, competing and winning medals through 2015, attending the events and activities of his grandchildren as he had done years before with his daughters, and trying to make the world a better place for those to come. Through the years, Jim has been active with the TN Air Force Association, Military Order of World Wars, Lions Club, served as a church usher and Sunday School teacher, volunteer coach, United Way and Goodwill Industries. He was instrumental in bringing the Massing of the Colors to Memphis beginning in the 1980s and he was proud that this ceremonial tradition carries on today.

As many have asked how they can honor a man who touched so many lives, shaped many futures and supported many organizations, his family asks that you consider doing any of these things in his memory: Always stand for Pledge of Allegiance or national anthem. Keep breath mints in your pocket. Get a drink when you pass a water fountain and go to the bathroom if you see one. Donate blood; Jim prided himself on having donated nearly 20 gallons to Life Blood over the years in Memphis and with other agencies previously.

Give money to the church; Jim supported not only his local parish but while his parents were still alive, Jim donated to his childhood parish in his parents' names. Save money; his motto in encouraging savings was "to pay yourself first." Sneak food into any place that is going to charge you for a snack. Never buy a drink at a restaurant, just get water. If there is food left at the end of a party, wrap it in a napkin, and stick it in your pocket or ask for a to-go box to keep surplus food from being trashed.

Go to all of your kids' and grandkids' games, programs and parties.... Jim worked until late at night, but if there was a soccer game in the middle of the day, he was there. And when you go to your kids' activities, take pictures or videos. Jim recorded every one of his girls' high school basketball games, track meets and soccer games with a VHS recorder on his shoulder and a camera in hand. Getting an I-phone let him make videos and take photos with ease & convenience.

Recycle whenever possible and waste nothing. Jim learned a strong work ethic on the family farm and rainy days were used to pull bent nails from salvaged wood to hammer them straight to reuse in a future project. Waste no food - he would say, "take as much as you want, but eat whatever you take." Return stray shopping carts into the corral in the parking lot or pick up some litter. Enter any drawing or raffle you happen upon. Offer a "thank you" and a handshake to a veteran or active duty service member. Jim is survived by his loving wife, Marge, with whom he would have celebrated 46 years of marriage on June 5th. Survivors also include his daughters and sons-in-law Su& (Tom) Mascari, Jean (Mark) Roberts, and Jamie (Matt) Pledger. When his first grandchild was born, Jim thought he might like to be called, "Grandfather Kasperbauer" but Tate said, "FaFa" and that moniker stuck. Jim's seven grandchildren, Tate, Lily and Drew Mascari, Grant and Maret Roberts and Molly and Ben Pledger will all miss their FaFa and are better for having known and spent time with him.

Jim is also survived by the following siblings and in-laws; Isabel Kasperbauer, Marian and Fred Fitzsimmons, Patty Sheets, Larry and Carmen Kasperbauer, Norma Kasperbauer, Kathy Kasperbauer, Lonnie and Lou Kasperbauer, and Linda Johanson; and Marge's sister, Jean Craig. Jim was preceded in death by his parents John and Clara and brothers, Michael "Mike" Kasperbauer, Gerald "Jerry" Kasperbauer and Patrick "Pat" Kasperbauer.

The family wishes to thank Baptist Reynolds Hospice for the gentle care of Jim and gracious support of our family during Jim's stay. We are grateful for the time spent in hospice as friends both new and old visited and shared funny memories of Jim or told poignant tales of his influence on their lives. Jim exemplified a life well-lived and well-loved. A self-made man, Jim would remark that he had lived a life beyond his childhood dreams. He will be greatly missed by family, friends, colleagues, former neighbors and teammates, players he coached, youth he mentored, charities he supported, and countless others.

The celebration of Jim's life will be held Saturday, May 20, 2017, at Catholic Church of the Incarnation in Collierville, with visitation at the church at 11:00 a.m. and mass beginning at 12:00pm. Attendees are invited to wear red, white and blue as a nod to Jim's patriotism. Jim will be laid to rest with full honors at future date in Arlington National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, we ask that remembrances in Jim's memory be sent to the charity of one's choice or to Baptist Reynolds Hospice House or Catholic Church of the Incarnation.

James Clemens Kasperbauer
COLLIERVILLE, TENNESSEE
James Clemens Kasperbauer, 79, passed away peacefully on May 16, 2017, at the Baptist Reynolds Hospice House in Collierville, Tennessee. Jim was born in Manning, Iowa, to John and Clara (Balk) Kasperbauer. In 1955, Jim enlisted in the United States Air Force and commissioned in 1962.

Jim was a graduate of the University of Nebraska (B.B.A. 1965), Central Michigan (M.A. 1973), M.A. 1975), and Memphis State University (Ed. D, 1983).

Jim proudly served in the Air Force for 28 years and was the recipient Of Distinguished Flying Cross, Meritorious Service Medal, and many more. In 1968, as a C-141 Navigator, Jim flew more hours than any other crew member, and was presented with the Twenty-First Air Force High Flying Time Award, 1298 Hours. Jim launched a second career as a financial advisor with Waddell & Reed, retired in 2010, and remained active in many civic organizations. Jim is survived by his wife of 45 years, Marge; three daughters, Susan (Tom) Mascari, Jean (Mark) Roberts, and Jamie (Matt) Pledger; seven grandchildren: Tate Lily and Drew Mascari, Grant and Maret Roberts, and Molly and Ben Pledger; two brothers, Larry (Carmen) Kasperbauer and Lonnie (Lou Kasperbauer), three sisters, Marian (Fred) Fitzsimmons, Patty Sheets, and Linda Johanson; four sisters-in-laws: Isabel Kasperbauer, Norma Kasperbauer, Kathy Kasperbauer, and Jean Craig; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents and brothers Mike Kasperbauer, Jerry Kasperbauer, and Patrick Kasperbauer.

The family wishes to thank Baptist Reynolds Hospice House for Jim's care and their support of our family. The celebration of Jim's life will be held at 12 p.m., Saturday, May 20, 2017, at Catholic Church of the Incarnation, in Collierville, with visitation at the church at 11:00 a.m. Jim will be laid to rest with full military honors, at a future date, in Arlington National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, we ask that remembrances be sent to the charity of one's choice, Baptist Reynolds Hospice House, or Catholic Church of the Incarnation.
The Commercial Appeal, Memphis, Tennessee May 20, 2017