James "Virg" Kocmick

CLERGY
Rev. Bill Van Gerpen
MUSIC
“Amazing Grace”
CASKETBEARERS
Joshua Curry, Nicholas Curry, Andrew Curry,
Kyle Kocmick, Kristin Enz, & Kara Kocmick
James “Virg” Kocmick was born on April 6, 1936 to Thomas and Opal (Hinzman) Kocmick in rural northwest Avon, South Dakota. He attended country school Lone Tree #1 and went on to graduate from Avon High School in 1955. In March 1956, Virg enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served on the USS Des Moines until his honorable discharge in December 1957. Upon returning home, he worked for a farmer by Armour for the next year.
On March 26, 1959, Virg was united in marriage to Ora Lee Sell at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Avon. They were blessed with the birth of 3 sons: Keith, Kenneth, and Dennis.
From 1958 to 1983, he worked as the manager of Lumber Company in Avon and Parkston. In 1984, he owned and operated Package Liquor Store – Laundromat and Carwash in Tyndall. In 1993, he sold the business and underwent a liver transplant.
Virg was a member of: the Lions Club in Parkston for over 20 years, Rotary Club in Tyndall for 10 years, and member of the Chamber of Commerce in both Tyndall and Parkston. He was also a member of the United Church of Christ in Parkston and served as their Deacon.
He loved fishing and camping with his family. He enjoyed taking bus trips to Canada and the East Coast. He also made frequent trips to Branson, Missouri. He especially enjoyed listening to Bohemian music, such as polkas and waltzs.
Virg passed away on Tuesday, April 10, 2018 at University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska having attained the age of 82 years.
He is survived and remembered by his wife of 59 years, Ora Lee Kocmick of Tyndall, SD; son: Kenneth (Francine) Kocmick of St. Peter, MN; daughter-in-law Nancy Kocmick of Gayville, SD; 9 grandchildren; and 6 great-grandchildren and 1 on the way. He was preceded in death by his parents, son Dennis Kocmick in 1993, and son Keith Kocmick in 2017.