James R. Daws

James R. Daws, age 87, resident of Michigan, ND, died peacefully surrounded by his family on Saturday, April 29, 2017 at Altru Hospital in Grand Forks, ND.

James Reed Daws was born November 6, 1929 near Michigan, ND, the son of Lynne and Anne (Dusbabek) Daws. He was raised on the family farm and attended 8 years of country school. He then attended Michigan High School, graduating with the class of 1947. He then attended NDSU at Fargo before enlisting in the U.S. Navy on December 28, 1950. Jim served during the Korean War and was the Welder Foreman on his ship. He was honorably discharged on October 15, 1954 with the rank of Metalsmith 2nd Class. Jim married Mary Ann Frost on November 28, 1955 and they farmed near Michigan for many years. Jim attended AVTI and received a welding certificate in 1987, at which time he began working for SSR Pump Co. in Michigan. He also received a certificate from NDSSS in machine shop operations and setups. Jim then began working for the ND Soil Conservation Service in Lakota, before transferring to the Hillsboro office. At this time Jim started his own company, Northern Plains Surveying, which he operated until his retirement. He was an avid hunter and fisherman, loved playing Pinochle, and was a superb welder. He was a member of the W.L. Cowper American Legion Post #238 of Michigan, the VFW in Hillsboro, and the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd in Lakota.

Jim will be dearly missed by his wife of 61 years, Mary Ann Daws of Michigan, ND; 6 children, Alana (Wayne) Fagot of Apple Valley, MN, Natalie Daws-Martinez (Tomas) of Albuquerque, NM, Lynn (Tony) Lamb and Elizabeth “Tess” (Randy) Severson, both of Michigan, ND, Reed (Julie) Daws and Charles Daws, both of Larimore, ND; 13 grandchildren, Benjamin (Katie), Menard, Antonio, Carlos, Phillip (Amy), Jake (Julie), Kyle, Jill (Garrett), T.J. (Leticia), Ross (Nikki Naas), Brooke (Dylan), Jack, and Ivy; 9 great grandchildren, Isaiah, Apollo, Aurora, Wyatt, Easton, Jax, Avery, Finley, and Kai; a sister, Margaret “Peg” Read of West Lebanon, NH; a brother, Richard (Sylvia) Daws of Grand Forks, ND; and several nieces & nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and grandson, Alexander James.

The Funeral Service for Jim will be held at the Michigan Lutheran Church, Michigan, ND, on Wednesday, May 3, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. Interment will be in the Michigan Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the Aaker Funeral Home of Lakota, ND, on Tuesday, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. and will continue at the church on Wednesday, from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service.