James F. Kotas

Notes:

A 1943 graduate of Milligan High School, he was inducted into the Army on his 21st birthday. He was stationed at Fort Lewis in Washington, later being sent to Korea. He received his honorable discharge on May 7, 1947. After his term in the service, he helped his father farme and did custom trucking. He later went to work for JIm VOSOBA, the Standard Oil Agent. Jim is a volunteer fireman, rescue personnel, Community Club member, Hospital board member, and member of the V.F.W. Post #7102 and the Nebraska Petroleum Marketers association. In addition to this, he served on the school board, town board and was fire chief. He enjoys fishing and boating with his sons and grandsons. He and his brother, Don, inherited the 80-acre farm in Section One, Glengary Township, after their fathers death. (Milligan, p 355).

Obituary

Jim F. Kotas, the last member of the John F. & Bessie R. (Masek) Kotas family passed away on Monday, January 25, 2018 at the Fairview Manor in Fairmont, Nebraska at the age of 92 years, 8 months, and 2 days.

He was born on May 23, 1925 on the family farm north of Milligan. He attended Milligan Public School for 12 years and graduated with the class of 1943.

After graduation, he worked in Omaha at a meat packing plant. He was drafted into the Army on his 21st birthday at Fort Leonard Wood, Kansas. He spent time in Korea before receiving an honorable discharge on May 27, 1947 at Fort Lawton, Washington.

On May 11, 1949, he married Norma Most and to this union 4 sons were born: Dennis, David, Douglas, and Delbert.

On July 1, 1949, he began driving a fuel truck for Joe Vosoba. After Joe's retirement, he became a Standard Oil Agent. In 1958, the company went to Jobbers and it became Kotas Oil Company. He retired after nearly 40 years in the oil business.

After retirement, Jim enjoyed helping area farmers with grain harvest. He was also active in the community serving as the Chief on the Milligan Fire Department for many years. He also took EMT training in the early 1970's with Merle Buzek and Albert Michl, and they were the original members of the Milligan Rescue Squad serving for many years. He enjoyed serving with the Fire & Rescue and was dedicated to helping people in need. Jim also served on the Milligan School Board, the Fillmore County Hospital Board for 25 years, the Petroleum Marketers Board, and the Milligan Village Board.

In November of 2016, he was honored to receive a Quilt of Valor in recognition of his military service.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Johnny and Donald; sisters Marie and husband Chas Vlasek and Henrietta and husband Marion Arbuck; daughter-in-law Janet Kotas; grandson Jason Kotas; and brother-in-law Arnold Capek.

He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Norma of Milligan, Nebraska; sons Dennis & Lois Kotas, Douglas & Yvonne Kotas all of Milligan, Nebraska, David Kotas of Faucett, Missouri, and Delbert & Susan Kotas of Juniata, Nebraska; grandchildren T.J. and wife Abby Kotas of Lincoln, Nebraska, Gary Kotas of Humboldt, Nebraska, Katherine Kotas of Portsmouth, Virginia, Brittni Kotas of Milligan, Nebraska, Justin Kotas of Colorado Springs, Colorado, and Emilie Kotas of Exeter, Nebraska; great grand daughter Kayla Brhle of Milford, Nebraska; great great granddaughter Brynlee Motley of Milford, Nebraska; sisters-in-law Lucille Capek of Milligan, Nebraska and Velma and John Kirby of Lincoln, Nebraska; cousin Reenlee Kotas of San Diego, California; and step grandchildren, step great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and friends.

A Funeral Service for Jim was held on Monday, January 29, 2018 at 10:30 a.m. at the Milligan Auditorium in Milligan, Nebraska. Pastor Brian Kottas officiated the service. Karen Kohler accompanied Jon Scoville who sang "How Great Thou Art" and "Just A Closer Walk With Thee. "

Pallbearers for the service included T.J. Kottas, Gary Kotas, Justin Kotas, Wayne Arbuck, Gerald Capek, and Jon Eisenhauer. Interment was held in the Bohemian National Cemetery with Military Rites performed by the Milligan American Legion HSSK Post 240. Farmer & Son Funeral Home conducted the services and online condolences can be left at www.farmerandsonfuneralhome.com. Memorials are suggested to the Milligan Rescue Squad or the Milligan American Legion.

(Courtesy of Dennis Belohlavy)

James married Norma Jean Most on 11 May 1949 in Geneva, Fillmore County, Nebraska. Norma was born on 22 Jul 1931 in Glengary Township, Fillmore County, Nebraska; died on 11 Feb 2019 in Fairmont, Fillmore County, Nebraska; was buried in Bohemian National Cemetery (Milligan South), Milligan, Fillmore County, Nebraska. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Living married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Living married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Living married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Living married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Obituary for Jason D. Kotas

A Memorial Service for Jason will be held on Friday, December 2, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at the Milligan Auditorium. Pastor Brad Barrows will officiate the service.

A Graveside Service will be held in the Bohemian National Cemetery following the Memorial Service.

Memorials are directed to the family for future designation.

Jason D. Kotas was born on March 29, 1976, during the snow blizzard of 1976 when area lost electricity for a week, at Warren Memorial Hospital in Friend to Marilea (Shutts) Michl and Dennis Kotas. He passed away on November 26, 2016 at home in Milligan.

Jason, as a young child, moved to Milligan and has resided there all his life. He attended Milligan School and graduated in 1994. After graduation he joined the Marines for a short time and received a medical discharge in 1995. He started laying carpet and worked independently and eventually became a dry wall finisher working for Mark Bigelow for a short time before working for Co-Hawk in Lincoln. He stopped working as a dry wall finisher due to medical reasons and started working for local farmers and loved working outdoors. He began working for Craig Meyer doing carpeting around the area and continued to work, as health permitted, independently as a dry wall finisher.
Jason's interest centered on the outdoors, and he joined the Milligan Bass Anglers after fishing with his dad while growing up. He grew up with a fishing pole in his hands and fished many tournaments with his dad and the Milligan Bass Club. He also enjoyed hunting with his family and friends.

Those fortunate to know Jason will remember him for his love of socializing and love of Polka Music. He had a unique laugh and a way with words. He will be truly missed by his family and friends.

He is survived by his daughter, Kayla Brhel of Milford, parents Marilea and Larry Michl of Milligan; Dennis and Lois Kotas of Milligan; grandparents, Jim and Norma Kotas of Milligan; 2 step brothers and 2 step sisters and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

Preceding him in death were 2 half-brothers, Jim and Steve McAlpine, grandparents, Lillian and Jerry Hendrych.


(Courtesy of Dennis Belohlavy)