James “Jim” Basic, 87, formerly of Manning died Monday, September 26, 2016 at the St. Luke’s Home, Dickinson. James’ funeral service will be at 1 p.m., Thursday, September 29, 2016 at Ladbury Funeral Service, Dickinson, with Pastor Cal Oraw officiating. Interment will follow at the Manning Cemetery. Visitation will be on Thursday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Ladbury Funeral Service.
Jim was born to Sam and Wilma (Schlapman) Basic on September 24, 1929. He had 8 1/2 years of education at Manning. Jim farmed and ranched together with his brothers, Roger and Bob. They also operated Basic Brothers Construction, where for many years Jim enjoyed dirt work, building roads, dams and oil sites. He also worked several years for the Dunn County Road Department, and also served as Dunn County Deputy for over 30 years. He had a great love of cattle and horses and had trucked cattle for local ranchers.
Jim married the love of his life, Emma Mae Ellis in February 1992 at Connar, Mont. They resided in Manning where they continued to farm, ranch and do construction work with his brothers.
He was a wonderful caregiver to his mother, brother Roger, and his wife, Emma, when she became ill. Jim and Emma had moved to Anchorage, Alaska in 2000, so she could get better medical care and to live closer to her daughter, Candy and family. In 2010, they moved to Bismarck to be closer to her son, Scooter and his family. They entered the St. Luke’s Home in August 2014, and Emma passed away in December 2014.
Jim enjoyed reading western novels, doing word puzzles, and going for rides seeing the country and looking for wildlife. He enjoyed hunting and fishing, and was a lifetime member of the NRA. He found great joy in visiting with family and friends, and was very proud of the friendships he made with the staff and nurses at St. Luke’s.
He was truly “one of a kind”. He would help anyone in need and liked to joke around and make others feel important or special. He will be missed dearly by many who knew him. “Jim walked tall with his black cowboy hat!”
Jim is survived by his step children, Candy (Tom) Swisher, Mesa, Ariz., Scooter (Robin) Pursley, Bismarck, and Terry (Darci) Pursley, Stewartville, Minn.; numerous step-grand and great-grandchildren; nephew, Pete Cabral, Calif.; sister-in-law, Joyce Basic, Dickinson; and care givers and close friends, Dean, Carleen and Derrek Dvorak, Manning.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Emma; parents; brothers, Robert and Roger; sister, Nora Mae Basic; and infant sister, Norma.
