James Stamos

St. Marys—James N. “Nick” Stamos, 93, passed away Tuesday, June 9, 2020, at the St. Marys Manor.

He was born June 15, 1926, in Minneapolis, MN., the son of Nick and Maria Kratz Stamos.   James enlisted in The United States Navy in 1944 and was a “Captain’s Talker”- (Morse Code).  In 1946 he attended Minnesota School of Business for a management degree.  He received a degree in history for the University of Minnesota in 1972.

In 1948 he began his career with Great Northern/Burlington Northern Railroad retiring in 1981.  James built the family house on Crystal Lake, Burnsville, MN., and built a Lugar Sailboat and named it “Jean.”  He owned JNJ Builders and raised and sold Zebra Finches to pet stores. His hobbies included flying, model trains, woodworking, gardening, sailing, fishing, sledding, ice skating, reading, playing card games, croquet, whistling, and dogs.

James purchased a 1941 Aeronca Chief single-engine airplane in boxes, coffee cans, burlap bags, and brown paper bags.  He flew that plane after 21 months of restoration.  He owned, restored, and piloted three other single-engine planes.

He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings, Theodore and Margaretta.

James N. Stamos and Jean Marie Nikolai were united in marriage on September 8, 1951.  She preceded him in death on July 28, 2016.

Survivors include his children, Mark, John (Sara), Steven (Denise), Robert (Lora), Maria Ann (Steve), and Karen (Lawrence); his brother, Victor: 15 grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

Requiem mass will be on Tuesday. A rosary will be recited at 5:20 P.M. Monday, June 15, 2020, at Assumption Chapel.  Interment will be in Our Lady Of Peace Cemetery, St. Marys.

The Stamos family would like to Thank the staff at St. Marys Manor for the loving care Nick received the past few years.