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James Gajdos Obituary
Jim is survived by his wife of 48 years, JoAnn, and daughter Laura, both of Boise; son Scott and daughter-in-law Sadie of Kennewick, WA; four grandchildren; siblings Bob and John Gajdos of Lorain, OH; Don Gajdos of Monroe, WA. He was preceded in death by his parents Al & Marge Gajdos of Lorain, OH.
Jim was born October 13, 1946 in Chico, CA. He served in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam era as a legal clerk and court reporter. Jim graduated from Kent State University in 1970 and went on to become an elementary school teacher in Sacramento, CA from 1971-'74. He then drove for Greyhound for 33 years, retiring in 2006.
Jim was proud of his accomplishments as a Greyhound Union Steward, Founder of the Boise Area Browns Backers and 2014 Idaho Bocce Champion.
Since his retirement, Jim has enjoyed watching Boise State football; he loved to dance, sing karaoke, travel, play bocce, and he was a spirited competitor. He loved to debate current affairs with anyone of an opposing viewpoint, which was almost everyone. Jim was bigger than life; if you met him once you felt like you'd known him for ever. He was a devoted husband and an honest hard-worker. Jim was always up for a good time and will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him.
There will be a celebration of life October 13, 2015. The time and location are TBD.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for James Gajdos
Sponsored by The Idaho Statesman.
Jeanne L Schalz
August 30, 2021
Jim, you have been surely missed! It was always a happy wonderful fun filled time whenever you was around! I think of you often!
Lois Magoon
September 7, 2020
Jim you are missed when we get together you are the life of the party what fun we all had sure enjoyed you and Joanna always coming and surprise me
Jeanne Schalz
September 1, 2020
I absolutely loved Jim and I miss him so much! He loved karaoke and enjoying life! He will always have a special place in my heard as well as the rest of the family ! Aunt Marge and Uncle Al was my favorite aunt and uncle and I miss them all so much!
John Gajdos
August 30, 2020
Recently, I found some old recordings of my brother and I playing music. I was playing guitar and he was playing harmonica. We were actually being quite silly while doing this. We had a lot of fun. I'm lucky that I have plenty of photos and movies and recordings of Jim and my family. Those memories are precious. I miss my brother Jim and my brother Don who also has passed away. A little part of me has gone with each one of them. The photograph is my brother Jim with our dad.
John Gajdos
June 30, 2017
Please visit my brother's website - In memory of Jim Gajdos --- https://johngaj1957.wixsite.com/jim-gajdos
John Gajdos
June 30, 2017
I have so many memories of my brother Jim. We did so many things together, it would take volumes to record it all. He was a good brother. A fun and smart man and he helped me in many ways. In his memory, I am putting together a website. It will continue to grow as long as I find new things to add. I love you, brother.
Jeanne Wood
September 15, 2015
Jim I dearly loved you and you will greatly be missed. The world will be a sadder place without you , you have gone home so tell the family we miss them all. And Love each and everyone of them.
Carlas Brown
September 13, 2015
Jim we will always remember and honor you as the founder of our Boise Area Browns backers. R.I.H.
Jim Piper
September 10, 2015
Always bigger than life, I remember when his family moved to Lorain. He and I hit it off then, and remained quiet friends forever. His visits to Lorain over the past few years tightened the bond of friendship even more. I'll keep fond memories of Jim, his hearty laughter, his passion for singing, love of family, and living life to the fullest.
Coleen Smith/Schloman
September 10, 2015
I live in Chico, CA and I think my Dad was Jim's Godfather?? We were all good friends back in the day! His parents used to visit yearly after they moved to Ohio! I am on facebook! I couldn't sleep so got on facebook and so sorry to hear about Jim
Coleen Smith/Schloman My parents were
Steve & Nell Butchko
Scott Gajdos
September 9, 2015
My dad, though often opinionated, and sometimes even abrasive, was a loving, generous and principled man. A couple of the many lessons he taught me in life were "Honesty trumps everything" and "Never put anything down in writing that you don't want to share with the world". Possibly the greatest example he set for me was the way he modeled what marriage should be. After 48 years he still looked at my mom the same way I'm sure he did on their wedding day. You could see the love he had for her every time they would dance (which was often), and feel it in the many poems he wrote for her over the years. Dad, you were a one-of-a-kind gentleman. We love you and will always miss you!
John Gajdos
September 9, 2015
There is so much I would like to say about my brother. I will be writing memories about him from time to time. He was working on family records before his passing. I hope that those records can be made available to everyone. I will miss you my brother.
Cheri Harris (Dowell)
September 7, 2015
Jimmy..remembering our times growing up together and all the teasing you would do. I got you back..both of your kids were born on my birthday! Too soon gone..
Cyndi Restivo
September 6, 2015
May peace and comfort find you during this difficult time.
Harry Kohout
September 6, 2015
Being a libera ,good friend and fellow driver, want to send my thoughts and prayers to Jims family.I did not know Jims birthday is one day before mine and the same year too.Jim will be truly missed by all.
Sadie Gajdos
September 5, 2015
What I want to remember most about my father-in-law , is his passion for life. No matter what he did, he went BIG. Nobody could ever accuse him of being lazy. Sing some Johnny Cash up in heaven! Rest in Peace.
September 4, 2015
Jim was a good man. May he roll many a casino in the next life.
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