James Wesley Kardos

James Wesley Kardos
died in his home Aug. 17, 2013, at the age of 81. He was born Dec. 26, 1931, in Cleveland, Ohio, the oldest son of James Emry Kardos and Caroline Mata Berg. He had a rare inherited neurological disorder called ataxia, diagnosed in 1959. He was a life member of the National Ataxia Foundation. He served as an ambassador and support leader of their support room. Before complications from ataxia, he was an Eagle Scout and served on the staff of Camp Tuscazoar. After it closed in 1988, he helped the Camp Tuscazoar Foundation reopen, then served for many years on their board as Trustee/Director. Although his ataxia forced him to resign this position, he retained his membership in that organization. Also, prior to ataxia complications, he was a member of the U.S. Army Reserves, 447th Military Government Company. He last worked in 1982 as a vocational rehabilitation counselor for the Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation. He graduated from Wooster High School in 1949, The College of Wooster with a B.A. in 1953, and Kent State University with a M.A. in 1963. He was also a volunteer income tax preparer for the elderly. He was a life member of the National Rehabilitation Assoc., The Public Employees Retirement System, The Public Employees Retired, Inc., and The United Methodist Scouters Assoc. He also belonged to The Stark County Chapter of the Ohio Genealogical Society where he served as vice president and president for two years. He attended Faith United Methodist Church since 1967, where over the years, served as chairman of the official board, trustee, church and society chairman, their Boy Scout Troup Committeeman and Merit Badge Counselor. He was on the General (national) Commission on the Status and Role of Women in the United Methodist Church and the last four years also as their representative to the general commission on Christian Unity and Interreligious Concerns. He served as president of the statewide Center for Persons with Disabilities in the Life of the Church. Later, he was the Canton/Tuscarawas representative to the East Ohio Conference Disabilities Taskforce, whose duties included being on the Canton/Tuscarawas District Committee.
He was preceded in death by both parents and an older sister, Carol Kreidler. He is survived by ex-wife, Ruth (Kirkpatrick) of North Canton; brother, William of Houston, Texas; sons, Christopher (Lori) of the home and Bradley of Alliance.
A memorial service will be held Friday, Aug. 23, 2013, at 9:30 a.m. at Faith United Methodist Church in North Canton. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to The National Ataxia Foundation or The Camp Tuscazoar Foundation.