James M. Gast, age 80, and known to most as Jim, passed away on April 30, 2025, at Stillwater Hospice House in Fort Wayne.
He was born in Warsaw at McDonald Hospital on Oct. 14, 1944, to Robert P. Gast and Geneva H. Mills Gast. He was a 1963 graduate of Warsaw High School. He lettered in basketball, football and tennis. He was the president of Warsaw band where he received several state awards in solos and ensembles; he was proficient on both saxophone and flute and was a member of the PEP band.
He was a graduate of Indiana University, Bloomington. He was a member of Beta Theta Pi fraternity and participated in the ROTC program.
Jim served honorably in the Vietnam era. He served as an officer in the Military Advisory Command. He appreciated Vietnamese culture, had a good command of the language, enjoyed the food and many friends he made - both American and Vietnamese. He was awarded the Bronze Star, an Air Medal and the Vietnamese Honor Medal.
More personally, Jim had many interests; he was an instrument rated pilot and avid sportsman. He was a freshwater fisherman and loved time spent on the water with his family, brothers and friends. He enjoyed days afield with his hunting dogs and friends.
Jim was an active clay target sport enthusiast with state and national titles. He served as president of the National Skeet Shooting Association and worked with youth training, development and safety. Much of his free time was devoted to Kosciusko conservation and their public shooting ranges. He also served as an instructor and officer of the Indiana Skeet Shooting Association.
He was a member of Elks Lodge, 802, American Legion, Post 49 and attended Warsaw Community Church.
In 1966, Jim was married to Jo Ann McGarry in Bloomington. Jim had two children, Terri Brosseau & Keith (Melissa) Gast; two stepchildren, Julia (Stephen) Carr and Michael (Stephanie) Cook. In 1992, he was married to Diane McCleary Cook. In total they shared 13 grandchildren: Melissa (Zach) Baldwin, Natalie (Chris) Amador, James Brosseau, Kea (Robert) Johnson, Kevin, Kyle, Oksana, Anastasia, Max and Nastia Gast, Megan (Alex) Dowin, Ryan Carr and Caitlyn and Taylor Cook; and five great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in passing by his parents, Robert and Geneva Gast; three brothers: Dan, G. Stephen and Jack Gast; and by a sister, Sue Anne Gilbert.
Titus Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 2000 Sheridan St., Warsaw, is entrusted with Jim’s arrangements. Visitors may join the family on Friday, May 9 with visitation beginning at 9 am. A Life Celebration funeral will follow at noon; a graveside service will follow that at Oakwood Cemetery. WCC Community Care Pastor Jeff Pfeifer will officiate the service with honors conducted by the American Legion and U.S. Army.
Throughout his life, Jim was active in Scouting; he earned his Eagle Scout and continued to support Scouting even in his later years.
In lieu of flowers or physical gifts, memorials can be made to Warsaw Scout Troop 730 or 736 with envelopes available at the funeral home. Written condolences can be left for the family on Jim’s obituary site via www.TitusFuneralHome.com