James L. Gades

Funeral services for James Gades, of Starbuck, Minnesota, will be held on Friday, February 2, 2024, at 3:00 p.m. at Faith Lutheran Church in Morris with Reverend Emmy Swedlund officiating.  Visitation will be on Thursday evening, from 4-7:00 p.m. at the Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris and will continue one hour prior to the services at the church on Friday.  Burial will be at Summit Cemetery in Morris.  

James Loren Gades, the middle child of Loren and Heather (Fermoyle) Gades entered this world on April 12, 2001, at the Douglas County Hospital in Alexandria, Minnesota.  James was baptized on August 12, 2001, at Zion Lutheran Church in Morris.  He was raised in Hoffman, Minnesota and attended West Central Area School until the 7th grade.  In 2015, the family moved to Starbuck, Minnesota where James continued his education at Minnewaska Area High School, graduating with the class of 2019.  After high school, James worked at Morris Coop in Morris until a career change to Westmor, working as a HydroTech, receiving the needed training certifications throughout his employment.  

James had many hobbies he enjoyed in his free time, including: going to the theater to watch various movies, anime, music and going to concerts, playing video games with his siblings and friends, especially GTA, that he would play while in his state-of-the-art gaming chair with friends near and far.  In addition, James’ other favorite pastimes were catfish fishing with Jackson and deer hunting with his Dad, Grandpa Barry, Brandi and Josh.  He loved attending the annual Renaissance Festival in Shakopee, his two cats Renje and Raiju and watching F1 Racing with Brandi and Josh. 

Above all else, James was caring and sweet, and had a big heart.  He looked forward to his weekly visits with his grandparents, and loved his family above anything else; he was so excited to be an uncle in April!  James was the type that would do anything for anyone.  He will be greatly missed by all those who knew and loved him. 

James died on Friday, January 26, 2024, as a result of injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident in Morris.  He was 22 years old. 

James is survived by his parents: Loren and Heather Gades of Morris; sister, Brandi (Zach Giese) Gades of Herman; brother, Josh Gades of Morris; nephew, Baby Boy Giese, coming in April; grandparents: Barry and Donna Gades of Morris and James ‘Jim’ and Lynnette Fermoyle of Morris; aunts and uncles: Lisa (Rick) Bangsund of Starbuck, Lori (Ryan) Rogge of Glenwood, Lynn Gades of Alexandria, Leah (Marshall) Macey of Iron, and Jim (Sheri) Fermoyle of Alexandria;  and many cousins, extended family & friends.  James is preceded in death by his great-grandparents: Wilbert and Mary Gades, Thelmer and Evelyn Harstad, James and Beatrice Fermoyle, and Elmer and Laura Beyer.  

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.  

Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris is in care of arrangements for James.