James Ellsworth Clauss

Aug. 7, 1934-Sept. 7, 2018

Longtime Alaskan James Ellsworth Clauss, 84, died on Sept. 7, 2018, at home with his daughter Annette and son-in-law Denny Koth by his side. A Celebration of Life is at 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018, at the Homer Elks Lodge.

James Clauss, also known as Jimmy, was born on Aug. 7, 1934, in Canton, Ohio, to Ellsworth Stephen and Irene Mae (Lothamer) Clauss. Jim graduated from McKinley High School in Canton in 1953. He played trumpet in the swing and prep band and took up photography. He enlisted in 1953 in the U.S. Navy and was discharged in 1956, serving at Navy Air Station Santa Ana.

Jim traveled throughout the United States in his younger years, and had schooling to be a telephone communications installer. He worked for WEC Gustor Hirsch as an ITT supervisor, Stromberg Carlson, field engineers, and Henkel & McCoy as a technician. He moved to Anchorage in 1971, and retired from ATU as central office installation supervisor.

He moved to Homer and opened a tackle and tool rental company, and repaired fly reels and rods. He was a proud member of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary (Rescue 21), the Kachemak Bay Lions Club, the Homer Elks Lodge and the Kachemak Bay Wooden Boat Society as a volunteer and devoted member. His rank at retirement from the Coast Guard Auxiliary in Homer was Flotilla Commander.

He met his wife Bev at a Rescue 21 meeting where they both served as officers. They were married on Aug. 6, 1995. They raised chickens, turkeys, and shared a little horse called Glamour. He placed first at the Ninilchik Fair for his eggs, chickens and syrups. They gardened and picked berries and maintained a small farm. They were known as “the Little People” or “Little Couple” because they were so small. “A great match,” his daughter said. “They were in love at first sight. Mom was his ‘co-heart’ in life.” She died in November 2014 several months after their 19th anniversary.

Golf was his passion for years. Fishing, hunting, bowling, dancing and dipnetting were just a few of his journeys and pleasures in his 84 years. He also owned his own plane.

In his later years, his favorite TV channels were golf, golf, golf and lots of Westerns — with lots of ice cream. Spending time with friends, fishing and hunting were his favorite past times.

“He was a quiet kind of man as I knew him, but he left a very large footprint in people’s hearts,” his family said. “His family and friends will miss that unforgettable snorting laugh and the twinkle in his hazel blue eyes.”

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Ellsworth Stephen and Irene Mac (Lothamen) Clauss; wife, Beverly D. (Pierce) Clauss; and step-brother, Bill Dent of Ohio.

He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Annette and Dennis Koth; step-children, Valeri Fox of Grand Ledge, Michigan, Lisa and Mic Maloney of Lake, Michigan, Robert Pierce of Vermont, Marty and Scott McVay of Anchorage, Gregory Moorhouse of New Zealand, Mark Moorhouse of California; and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Jim’s family wishes to thank all of his caregivers for their love, kindness and support: Tammy Hopkins, Terry Plant, Ginny Wentwirth, Olga Kurim, Peggy Brown, Ruth Mitchel, Susan Donaldson, Kylie McShane, Brad Kloeck and volunteers from Hospice of Homer, Home Health and their superb staff, nurses Polly, Amy, Merrisa, Matt and Bryan.

“Dad loved all of you,” his daughter said. “The laughter, kindness and love was so very appreciated.”