James R. Gasser

1948 - 2025

James R. Gasser died at home on January 23, 2025 of natural causes. He was born in Buffalo, New York on June 29, 1948 to Harold Richard Gasser and Doris Ruth (Hopkins) Gasser. Harold Gasser was a partner in Edens Farm Dairy, a dairy products supplier. James was educated in Orchard Park, New York, New Castle, Pennsylvania, and graduated from South Broward High School in Hollywood, Florida in 1966. He attended Stetson University in Deland, Florida graduating in 1970 with a Bachelor's degree in history and political science. He served as a lieutenant in the U.S. Army Field Artillery School at Fort Sill, Oklahoma between 1971 and 1973.

In June 1973, James moved to Washington, DC to work for the U.S. Conference of Mayors, becoming one of the youngest men to serve as a city representative. He then worked at the U.S. Railway Association as a local government liaison between 1975 and 1978. He worked for the Heritage Conservation and Recreation Service during the Carter Administration, the Commission on Americans Outdoors during the Reagan Administration, and joined the U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service (NPS) in 1985. He organized White House Conferences for the George H.W. Bush Administration and the George W. Bush Administration. He was the principal meeting and events planner for the NPS from 1997 until his retirement In November 2018. He retired as the NPS Chief of Protocol and Logistics after 35 years of federal service.

James is predeceased by his husband, Gregory A. Ramsey who died September 13, 2019. They were together for 41 years and married for 18 years. He is survived by: Doug and Karen Ramsey of East Moriches NY; Holly Ebbeson of Hudson, NH; John Gasser of Dummer, NH; Heath and Shelley Ebbeson of Hudson, NH; Kristian and Rebecca Ramsey of Calverton, NY; Meeghan Ramsey and Derek Maine of Apex, NC; Jonathan and Andrea Ramsey of Gloucester, MA, Elizabeth and Matt Warner of Peterborough, NH; Chip Gasser and Akin Onal of Cape Town, South Africa; and Bryce and Linda Gasser of Chelmsford, England. James is also survived by numerous grand-nieces and grand-nephews.

James was a consummate planner, be it for large scale government meetings or small dinner parties at home. He and Gregg loved preparing and hosting dinner parties for family and friends. On New Year's Eve 1999, he and Gregg recreated the last twelve-course dinner on the Titanic. James labored over the placement of the twelve different sets of cutlery. This dinner became a beloved New Year's Eve staple, with guests preparing different courses.

James and Gregg traveled extensively in the U.S., Europe, Central America, and South America. Their last cruise together was on the Queen Elizabeth through the Baltic, which included two days in St. Petersburg permitting tours of the Hermitage.

James and Gregg's ashes, along with those of their beloved labrador Chutney, will be interred together as part of the Living Reef's program in Florida.

A memorial service to commemorate his life will be held March 29, 2025 at 2 p.m. at St. Paul's K Street Church in Washington, DC. Donations in his name should be made to the National Foundation for Cancer Research (referencing the Gregory A. Ramsey Gallbladder Cancer/BRACA Gene Research Program), 5515 Security Lane, Suite 1105, Rockville, MD 20852.