James Kazee

James A. Kazee 84, died at 12:35 p.m. December 11, 2009, at his residence. He was born August 6, 1925, in Paintsville, Kentucky, to Andrew J. and Flora Smith Kazee. On October 4, 1965, in Clintwood, Virginia, he married Janet L. Byrd, who survives in Cridersville, Ohio. Mr. Kazee was a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8745 in Wapakoneta, Ohio. He loved sports such as golfing and fishing. As a young man, he tried out for the Cleveland baseball team as a catcher. He was a professional showstyle roller skater. He was a member of Plumbers and Pipefitters union Local 776 and attended Shawnee United Methodist Church. He was a member of the Ancient Order of the Deep, served in the Armed Guard-Pacific and served as an instructor in the U.S. Navy. While in the Navy, he served on the SS Sea Corporal, the SS Mahi Mahi and the USS LCS. He served 16 years in the Navy and reserves. Survivors also include two sons, Joseph (Mitzi) Newman, of Saskatchewan, and Michael (Jan) Kazee, of Columbus, Ohio; five daughters, Carlena (William) Taylor, of Ona, W.Virginia, Robin Austin, of Hamlin, W.Virginia, Jayme (Mark) Davis, of Wapakoneta, Ohio, Jeri Casey, of Lima, Ohio, and Leise (Glenn) Morris, of Albuquerque, N.Mexico; two brothers, Bob Layman, of Ashland, Kentucky, and Bill Layman, of Lima, Ohio; 19 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. Services will begin at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Chamberlain-Huckeriede Funeral Home. A private burial will be held later in Dayton?s Veterans Memorial Cemetery. Friends may call from 3 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at Chamberlain-Huckeriede Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to the West Ohio Food Bank.