James Wiese

It is with thanks to the grace of the Holy Spirit that James Wiese completes his time here on earth; he died on February 1, 2012, in Odessa, TX. He was an enthusiastic and tireless advocate for education in a life committed to spreading the Good News.

Jim was born on October 22, 1936, to Lorenz and Effie (James) Wiese, the oldest of four boys in the farming community of Reynolds, IN. At 13, Jim entered Concordia Fort Wayne pre-ministerial program and went on to receive his M.Div. at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. He also later received an M.A. from Stanford University in school administration and Japanese studies. He married his wife Rita (Bulmahn) on June 18, 1960. After seminary, he and Rita were called into the mission field. With a growing family, Jim worked in Japan for 34 years in many, often-overlapping, roles — as a pastor of St. Paul International Lutheran Church; chaplain and principal of Seibo Gakuen (Holy Hope Lutheran School); director of development for the American School in Japan; founding headmaster and board chair of Osaka International School; secretary of education of the Japan Lutheran Church; pastor at Yokota US Air Force Base; and, with his wife, founded Christ of All Nations Church in Mino (now Mino International Church). He was also actively involved with the Chamber of Commerce in Japan, International House in Tokyo, Bridges to Osaka, and Rotary. On return to the U.S., Jim went on to lead Valley Lutheran High School (Phoenix, AZ) and Northland Lutheran School Association (Kansas City, MO). He discovered a strong passion for interim ministry and was called to Christ Lutheran Church (Hilo, HI), Emanuel Lutheran Church (Milbank, SD), Faith Lutheran Church (Ottawa, KS), and Redeemer Lutheran Church (Odessa, TX). At the age of 75, he was still working — though he wouldn’t have called it that — when he passed away of complications from a brain tumor.

He was an active amateur botanist and tended anything that would grow. In the same way, he encouraged all family and anyone he met to follow their dreams and be who God designed them to be. He had a deep and lifelong love of music, with highlights that include being captain of the marching band in high school and singing with Kantorei at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. Rumor has it that he owned ice-cream-finding shoes. And, as he often said himself, he didn’t know any strangers.

Jim is survived by Rita, his wife of 51 years; five of his six children: Julie (Bill) Froude, David (Jill), Jonathan (Tracy), Deborah, and Joel (Christa); 10 grandchildren; two brothers, Carl and Charles; and is preceded in death by one son, Mark, and one brother, Roger.

The Service of Celebration for Pastor Jim will be Saturday, February 4, 2012, at 2:00 pm at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 824 E 18th St, Odessa, TX. 79761. Visitation is at Redeemer Lutheran Church, Friday, February 3, from 6:00-8:00 pm. Jim requests his ashes be placed with the ashes of his son, Mark, in Hanno, Japan.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to one of the following: The Wiese Family Youth Scholarship for Church Music at http://www.razoo.com/story/Wiese-Memorial-Fund ; Concordia Seminary St. Louis; Redeemer Lutheran Church of Odessa, TX. Contact Hubbard-Kelly Funeral Home at 432-332-0991 with any questions.

Our deepest thanks to the congregation of Redeemer Lutheran Church for your love and support during Pastor Jim’s hospice.