We regret to report the passing of former NSSA president and lifetime member James “Jim” Gast, 80, of Warsaw, Indiana, on April 30.
Jim served as NSSA President in 2010-2012. He joined NSSA in 1974 and shot almost 285,000 lifetime targets, attending the World Skeet Championships for 36 consecutive years. As NSSA president, his passions were working with youth training, development and safety. Much of his free time was devoted to Kosciusko Conservation Club and their public shooting ranges. He also served as an instructor and officer of the Indiana Skeet Shooting Association
He was a 1963 graduate of Warsaw High School, where he lettered in basketball, football, and tennis and received several state band awards for both saxophone and flute. He was a graduate of Indiana University, Bloomington, where he was a member of Beta Theta Pi fraternity and participated in the ROTC program. Jim served honorably in the Vietnam era. He served as an officer in the Military Advisory Command. He appreciated Vietnamese culture, had a good command of the language, enjoyed the food and many friends he made – both American and Vietnamese. He was awarded the Bronze Star, an Air Medal and the Vietnamese Honor Medal.
In addition to skeet, Jim had many interests; he was an instrument-rated pilot and avid sportsman. He was a freshwater fisherman and loved time spent on the water with his family, brothers and friends. He enjoyed days afield with his hunting dogs and friends. He was a member of Elks Lodge 802, American Legion Post 49, and Warsaw Community Church.
In 1966 Jim was married to Jo Ann McGarry, and they had two children, Terri Brosseau and Keith (Melissa) Gast. In 1992, he was married to Diane McCleary Cook and had two stepchildren: Julia (Stephen) Carr and Michael (Stephanie) Cook. In total they shared 13 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Visitors may join the family on Friday, May 9 for visitation beginning at 9 a.m. at Titus Funeral Home and Cremation Services (2000 Sheridan Street, Warsaw, IN), with a Life Celebration Funeral following at noon and a graveside service at Oakwood Cemetery.
Throughout his life, Jim was active in scouting; he earned his Eagle Scout and continued to support scouting even in his later years. In lieu of flowers or physical gifts, memorials can be made to Warsaw Scout Troop 730 or 736, with envelopes available at the funeral home. Written condolences can be left for the family on Jim’s obituary site via www.TitusFuneralHome.com.
The staff and officers of NSSA extend our heartfelt condolences to Jim’s family and his many friends.
