James (Jim) Leonard Koster, age 81, of Frisco, Texas passed away on Thursday, May 6, 2021. Jim was born March 15, 1940 in Tyler, Minnesota to his loving parents Leonard and Fay Koster. He was baptized at St. John’s Lutheran church in Lake Benton, MN and confirmed at the same church in 1954. He graduated from Lake Benton High School in 1958. Jim attended college for 2 years at South Dakota State College in Brookings, SD, before pursuing, and accepting, an appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York. Jim graduated from West Point in 1964 and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Army in 1964.
Jim married his childhood sweetheart, Gayle Ann Trautman, in June 1964 in Lake Benton, MN. He then went on to attend the Army Airborne and Ranger School in Ft. Benning, GA, earning his Ranger Tab. Jim served 21 years in the Army, including two combat tours of duty in Vietnam, and a 4-year tour in Germany, retiring as a LT. Colonel in 1985. Highlights of his military career included: serving as an aide to General Gunn at the Army Recruiting Headquarters in Ft. Monroe, VA, teaching at the Army’s Command and General Staff College in Ft. Leavenworth, KS and as battalion commander of the 2nd Battalion, 41st Field Artillery in Bad Kissingen, Germany. During his years of service, he was awarded 3 Bronze Stars for valor, and 4 Meritorious Service Medals, among numerous other awards. During his time of service, Jim also earned a master’s degree in economics from the University of Alabama.
After retirement from the military, Jim was active in the real estate and mortgage business, before fully retiring in 2008. Through the years, Jim was highly active serving the church’s he attended on boards, as a church elder, and most recently, at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, organizing, planning, and arranging funding for the renovation of the Conference Center. He also sat on The Lake’s Subdivision HOA board. He loved traveling to see family throughout the country, loved hunting and skiing in Colorado, enjoyed yardwork and planting. Jim loved sports, especially watching his grandchildren play football, volleyball, basketball, soccer, and anything else the grandkids wanted to try. His passion was his family.
Jim is lovingly remembered by his wife of nearly 57 years, Gayle, of Frisco, TX and his three children, Karrie (John) Sory of Colorado Springs, CO, James Leonard Koster II (Ashley) of University Park, TX, and Jonathan Koster (Amy) of Frisco, TX; six beautiful grandchildren: Nathan Sory of Springfield, MO, Kylie Koster of Los Angeles, CA, Jackson Koster and Drew Koster of Frisco, TX and Grace and James Leonard Koster III of University Park, TX; his brother Dean (Mary Ann) of Madison, SD and his sister Sharron (Russell) Utoft of Richfield, MN. He was preceded in death by his parents.
May God give him rest and peace. Blessed is his memory!!
A celebration of life and visitation for James will be held Wednesday, May 12, 2021 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Stonebriar Funeral Home, 10375 Preston Rd., Frisco, Texas 75034. A visitation will occur Thursday, May 13, 2021 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 4000 Midway Rd, Carrollton,, TX 75007. A funeral service, with reception to immediately follow, at 11:00 AM at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 4000 Midway Rd, Carrollton, TX 75007. A committal service will occur Thursday, May 13, 2021 at 2:00 PM at Dallas Fort Worth National Cemetery, 2000 Mountain Creek Pkwy, Dallas, TX 75211.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.stonebriarfh.com for the Koster family.
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