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James Kaserman Obituary
October 18, 2013
James Franklin Kaserman, 71, passed away Oct. 18, 2013, at Hope Hospice in Ft. Myers, Florida after a brief illness. Jim was born in Massillon, Ohio, the son of Richard and Dorothy Kaserman. He graduated from Washington High School in 1960 and attended Kent State University and the University of Dayton.
Jim is survived by his wife, Sarah Jane, his devoted sons Richard (Louise) Kaserman and James (Shanon) Kaserman, grandsons James and Reed, and granddaughter Haven, as well as his brother Rick (Sue) Kaserman and a loving extended family.
Jim proudly served in the US Army. He raised his family in New Philadelphia, Ohio, where he taught high school, announced the football games, coached boys basketball and golf, and refereed from 1967 to 1985. He also served as President of New Philadelphia City Council and as Mayor.
After moving to Ft. Myers in 1985, Jim continued his high school teaching career, while coaching girls softball and golf and announcing football games at Mariner High School. He also served as Director of Business and Industry Services at High Tech North. He retired from teaching in 2004.
Jim avidly pursued many hobbies and was blessed with countless friends during his lifetime. He enjoyed his days of racing sprint cars and stock cars, and was a member of the Daytona Antique Automobile Association (DAARA). He lent his beloved 1951 Ford to the Living Legends of Auto Racing museum at Daytona where it had raced on the beach during the early days of NASCAR. One of his great experiences was to run #21 on the old beach course again and display his car last year during Speed Week.
Jim also authored several books, both historical fiction and non-fiction and enthusiastically gave lectures for Florida Gulf Coast University's Renaissance Academy on the history of railroads and the history of pirating in Florida. He loved to immerse himself in the subject and even dressed the part as he continued to always impart knowledge to others.
Visitation hours will be 4-6 PM on Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2013, at Memorial Gardens in Ft. Myers and a Memorial Service will be held Thursday, Oct. 24, 2013, at Covenant Presbyterian Church where Jim served as an Elder. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Covenant Presbyterian Church, Hope Hospice of Lee County, or a local historical charity of your choice.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Fort Myers Memorial Gardens Funeral Home, 1589 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers, FL 33907, 239-936-0555. Online condolences may be made at: www.fortmyersmemorial.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for James Kaserman
John (Jack) Lewis
October 16, 2024
I originally left a condolence on October 23, 2013 and I see this announcement year after year and think of Jim and the time that has gone by and yet the memories of him are still in my mind. I signed as Jack and Jean back then but Jean joined Jim in heaven back in December of 2023. I am ninety one now and closer to ninety two and gave up softball, where I met Jim, long ago. His memory is still in my mind and I still remember him well.
John Hawkins
October 16, 2020
He was the first person I talked to about the senior softball league and he encouraged me to join. He also gave my wife a signed copy of his book, Gasparilla, Pirate Genius.
He knew she liked pirate stories and gave it to her to read on a cruise we were taking.
Haven Gray
October 24, 2013
I went to Harvey and Washington High school with Jim. We played Hi-y basketball together. He was a great person and will be missed by many. RIP Jim and God bless you and your family.
Denise Shull-Hanks
October 24, 2013
Sorry to hear of Mr Kaserman's passing. Prayers to you and the family.
Bonnie Guensch
October 23, 2013
I knew Jim for a long time during his career at High Tech North. We also attended meetings together and became good friends. I introduced my son-in-law to Jim with the hopes of perhaps making a movie or a series of movies of Jim and Sara Jane's book "Tales From Christmas Trains". You just never expect someone as "Rich" as Jim in all his endeavors to pass away at such a young age! Jim is someone I will always remember! I will miss him very much. I am richer for having known him! Thank you, Jim!
Kim Glick
October 23, 2013
RIP Mr K. The world is a better place for you having been in it.
October 23, 2013
I played senior softball in Cape Coral with Jim and found him to be a wonderful person, an ardent player and all around good friend to all. I'm sorry for your loss and our heart and prayers go out to the family.
Jack and Jean Lewis
Doug and Leiann Tennant
October 23, 2013
To the Kaserman Family, So sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Jim Eaton
October 23, 2013
I first got to know Jim in the summer of 1965 when his family operated the Perkins Restaurant across from the main gate at Kent State University (East Main and College Ave.) Then we came to New Phila there he was in the railroad car ice cream diner adjacent to Miracle Lane Shopping Center.
Doreen @ Jerry Steele
October 23, 2013
Dear Jane,Rick,@Jim, Heard of your loss through our son Craig and want you to know how much Jim touched our whole family's life upon our move to Ohio. He used to tell me that he was sure God was riding on the Steele kids shoulders-and now he is on God's shoulders! What a kind and generous man! We know he will be missed by all. Fondly the whole Steele family.
October 23, 2013
Dear Kaserman Family,
We were so shocked and saddened to hear of Jim's passing. He meant so much to my sister, Kim, as we know he did to so many. May you find peace and comfort in your memories.
Much love,
Matt & Shannon Cobb & family
Shelly Farrar/ clum
October 22, 2013
Our hearts, thoughts and prayers go out to you during this difficult time. He loved life to its fullest and loved his family and God even more than life itself always kind, always giving always bringing joy to others. May his legacy continue to live on . Never forget how much he loved Christmas and his Santa in July on Atwood lake. I was always late for home room and he looked the other way saving me from many detentions. :) then catching up in later years thru Facebook where he was always lifting and encouraging.
JoAnn and Zack Soyka
October 22, 2013
Sarah Jane and family: We are so sad about Jim's passing. He will always be in our hearts and mind. We will continue to picture you and him and Lucky walking down the street. Can't believe he's gone.
Charlotte Fisher
October 22, 2013
Jane, Rick, and Jim......prayers going out to you all. I could not believe when I read he had passed. Such great memories with all of you at Atwood. I'm sure Jim is in heaven chatting away with my dad. God bless
October 22, 2013
Dear Kaserman family, So sad to hear of Jim's passing. He taught my sister and I how to swim! He also took my sister and I on our first roller coaster ride at Myers Lake. I have wonderful memories of him and his family. Blessings and sympathy to all of his family. A wonderful man!
Sincerely, Mindi Berg Canton, Ohio
JOE GOTTLER
October 22, 2013
What a nice school friend!! He was allways smiling.Lord bless you an family
Jill Gilmore
October 22, 2013
I am sorry for your loss... Your husband and father was a great man, always upbeat and generous.
L.G.
October 22, 2013
God can be a provider of escape for those trusting in him. (Psalms 18:2) Please accept my condolences at this time.
October 22, 2013
My prayers and thoughts go out to you. I remember Jim as having played softball in our 50 Plus Softball League in Cape Coral. He was an upstanding guy. So sorry for your loss.
Jennifer Ford, Secretary, 50 Plus Softball
Nancy Day-Reinemann
October 22, 2013
To the Kaserman family: May your hearts be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together, I will remember him fondly as my golf coach in high school and as someone I looked up to that has lasted till this day.Rest in peace Mr. K.
October 22, 2013
Rick and Sue, We are so sorry for your loss.
Diane and Lou Klaiber
Savannah, Ga.
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Fort Myers Memorial Gardens Funeral Home, Cemetery & Crematory1589 Colonial Blvd, Fort Myers, FL 33907
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