George Samuel Joss

George Joss Dies at Denver Oct. 29; Funeral Held Sun.

George S. Joss, prominent Niobrara county rancher and a native of this part of the state, died suddenly Thursday morning, Oct. 29, at St. Luke's Hospital in Denver. He entered the hospital only the previous day.

Mr. Joss had been in failing health for several years and he and his wife spent recent winters in the southwest in the hope that the change of climate would prove beneficial to him. In August this year he underwent surgery at St. Luke's after which he appeared much improved, and was being taken back to Denver by Mrs. Joss for a checkup when he suffered a sudden collapse and died within a few hours.

George Samuel Joss was born at Manville Feb. 9, 1902, the son of Samuel and Clara Joss. He attended the Manville schools and as a young man went into the ranching and stockraising business with his father and brother, Arthur G. Joss, in which partnership he was still engaged at the time of his death.

He was married to Leola Fern Marple at Harrison, Neb. in April of 1934 and they were the parents of two children, Phillip, 16, and Sandra Kay, 9, and a step-daughter, now Mrs. Clarence Swope. The mother died August 14, 1944 and the children were taken into the home of their aunt and uncle, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Joss and family, who resided on the Twenty- Mile Ranch and also maintained a home in Douglas so that the children can attend school.

Dec. 15, 1945 Mr. Joss was married to Mrs. Ruth Gibbons in Lusk and they made their home on the Horseshoe Ranch until last year when they purchased a residence in Lusk.

Mr.Joss was greatly interested in historical events and especially of Western history. Evidence of this is seen in his home in the collection of western pictures that adorns the walls and other mementoes of the west. He was a member of the Church of Christ and belonged to Harmony Masonic Lodge No. 24 of Lusk.

His mother and a sister, Mrs. Blanche Kirk, previously died.

Survivors besides his wife and children are his father, Sam Joss of Manville, and brother Arthur G. of Lost Springs. Mrs Chris Joss of Lusk is an aunt and Mrs. Arthur Keller also of Lusk is a cousin.

Among the out-of-town relatives here for the funeral were his nephews, Sam Kirk and Arthur Joss, Jr., and their wives of Laramie, and Mrs. Ethel Dern of Casper, an aunt.

Funeral services were conducted from the Peet Chapel Sunday afternoon with Clyde Spaulding, pastor of the Church of Christ, officiating. The songs "Beyond the Sunset" and "The Old Rugged Cross" were sung by a choir composed of Mr.Clyde Spaulding, Al Davenport, Dave Wood, and Richard Reed, with Mrs. J.P. Watson as organist. The song "I'm Heading for the Last Roundup", was sung by Mr. Culver.

Interment was made in the Lusk Cemetery with the Masonic burial rites being conducted at the grave by C.E. Marvin acting as worshipful master. The casket bearers were Fred Kettler, L.C. Stoddard, Ray Baughn, Cecil Sims, Edward Martin, John Lorenzen, T.O. Miller and Charles Vaughan.

Images & Attachments

Related/Linked Records