– Jerry Kainz – July 7, 2014

Gerald “Jerry” Kainz, 70, Jamestown, ND, died July 7 at his home in Jamestown. Jerry was born on July 14, 1943, in Dickinson, ND, to Jacob and Thresia (Miller) Kainz and was the oldest of their 5 children. He attended Green River 15 rural grammar school, graduated from Dickinson State College Campus High School in 1961, and attended the North Dakota State School of Science (Wahpeton).

He enlisted in the US Air Force in 1961 and was honorably discharged after basic training in San Antonio, TX. Jerry returned to Dickinson to work for Sears as a repairman and was transferred to Jamestown in 1963. After Sears, he worked at Tony’s Electric and Arneson’s Plumbing & Heating. Jerry married Nadine Barta in Dickinson on May 27, 1968, and on the same day, joined the Jamestown Fire Department as a volunteer firefighter.

In 1975, Jerry and his family started their own business, Refrigeration Service. In 1981, Jerry sold the business and joined Jamestown Hospital as its Director of Plant Operations, retiring in 2008. Jerry continued with the Jamestown Fire Department and was appointed Deputy Chief in 2010, a role he proudly filled until his death.

He was a member of and served on several community, professional and civic boards, organizations, and clubs including the ND Fire Chiefs Assn., Local Emergency Planning Commission, Jamestown Fine Arts Center, Unison Bank Good Neighbors Club, University of Jamestown Friends of the Arts Society, Salvation Army Board, Basilica of St. James, Frontier Village Board, Calvary Cemetery Board, Refrigeration Service Engineers Society, ND Hospital Assn., Eagles Club FOE, American Legion, Elks Club, the Boy Scouts of America, and numerous local and regional engineering and emergency management groups and committees.

Jerry is survived by his wife Nadine, his son, Chad J. Kainz, Monterey CA, and his four siblings: Leo (Marge) Kainz, Darlene (Erling) Haugland, Arnold (Mavis) Kainz, and Dorene (Jeff) Larson.

A prayer and rosary service will be held at the Basilica on Sunday, July 13, at 8:00pm. The funeral will be held at the Basilica of St. James on Monday, July 14, at 10:00am.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Jerry can be made to either the Jamestown Arts Center or the Jamestown Volunteer Firefighters Fund at the Jamestown Fire Department.

Previously reported:

Jamestown (CSi) The late Jerry Kainz is being remembered by Fire officials and other community members. The Jamestown City Fire Department Deputy Fire Chief, passed away Monday morning, at Jamestown Regional Medical Center.

The 70 year old Kainz, was a 46-year veteran of the Jamestown Fire Department.

Jamestown Fire Chief Jim Reuther says Kainz was sworn in as a member of the fire department on May 27, 1968, the same day he married, Nadine.

Reuther said Kainz was an “amazing” guy due to his depth and width of knowledge and his calm demeanor.

Reuther pointed out that since Jerry retired from the Jamestown Hospital maintenance department Kainz spent time at the fire station on Second Avenue Northwest because he enjoyed being there.

Fire Captain Dennis Barton, says Kainz was always there to help people when they needed it.

Barton and Reuther added that Kainz was always willing to help out at the fire hall, no matter what was going on. He was at the department’s pancake fundraiser on Saturday and stayed after the event to help clean up.

Kainz,was also an avid photographer, and Jamestown Arts Center Director, Taylor Barnes, says Jerry always had an annual showing of his work at the Arts Center and was a “great volunteer.”

Photos below from the CSi News archives of Jamestown Fire Department Deputy Chief Jerry Kainz.