JAMES EDWARD KOKAS

James Edward Kokas, 77, passed away on November 15, 2024 in Costa Mesa, California. He was born on December 17, 1946 in Highland Park, Michigan to George and Margaret (Rumohr) Kokas. Jim was raised in Michigan and joined the Army at 17 years old before graduating high school with the signature of his father. He later obtained his GED and went on to take additional college classes in the military to further professional development.

Jim started his military career as a paramedic shortly after completing basic training and continued on in the medical field and eventually was established in hospital administration. He earned several ribbons, metals and commendations for his work and professional development during his military career. He served his country honorably in the Vietnam War as well as the Cold War. One of his most "treasured" career periods was being stationed in Berlin, West Germany towards the end of the Cold War. His final and most cherished tour of duty was in Berlin, where he was under the command of the then Colonel Ronald Blanck, DO, at Berlin  US Army Hospital in West Berlin, who later became the US Army Sugeon General. His time in Berlin was so memorable and he was most proud of this tour of duty.

After returning from the war in Vietnam, Jim was ecstatic to land on American soil after a treacherous and hard tour of duty and witnessing and facing death as a young soldier all in the name of freedom for his country that he so proudly served. It was a shock to his core that instead of being met with pride and honor during his homecoming, he and his fellow war veterans were met with protestors who spit in their faces while screaming profanities and horrible words. He vowed at that point to never allow other soldiers to depart US soil and return to US soil without the sending off and homecoming they deserved as patriots and freedom defenders. He fulfilled his wishes when he was asked, through the Veterans of Foreign Wars, to serve as the State of California's Southern Area's chairman for the Military Assistance Program (MAP). During his service to the VFW, he poured several hundreds and thousands of hours, personal funds and donations of goods and services that directly helped this mission of giving the soldiers and their families adequate support and recognition. Jim coordinated volunteers, agencies and corporate donors. In his first year, he touched more than 77,000 troops and their families and arranged for nearly 18,000 tons of supplies. Through Jim’s efforts, and abandoned hanger at March AFB was converted into “support central,” a place where deploying and returning troops and their families can rest, enjoy a snack and receive encouragement from hundreds of volunteers working round-the-clock to ensure no service member or family is missed. That was who Jim Kokas was.

The military took him to many US states including Chicago, IL, KS, CA, MD, MI as well as countries such as Panama, Vietnam, Korea and Germany. After retiring from his career with the US Army, He eventually made Riverside in Southern California his home for his remaining 35 years. He was a proud Riverside resident.

After retiring from the Army, Jim worked for McDonald Douglas Aerospace Company and later with his entrepreneurial spirit, he started his own cleaning business. This kept him busy for 15 years. He went on to work for an organization close to his heart, Coalition to Salute America's Heroes, where he was able to fulfill his passion of helping soldiers in need. He provided support through fundraising and also coordinated the efforts between the soldiers, families and the organization to make sure their needs were met. He handed many wounded soldiers checks that changed their lives. He worked hard to enrich the lives of all active duty and in his involvement with VFW and American Legion, attending local, state and national conventions, committees, donating much time and money. His commitment to serving the troops was top of heart and mind.

 Jim believed in God and was a Christian. Even though he did not attend church on a regular basis in his lifetime, His faith was reinforced/reaffirmed after his loving wife of 46 years passed. He attended The Grove Community Church several times and sought comfort during his bereavement following his loss. He turned to God, which was a beautiful testament of his wife Bonnie's faith as she belonged to the grove Community Church with their daughter Janet.

Jim was preceded in death by his father George Kokas, Jr, mother Margaret Rumohr, his wife Bonnie (McArthur) Kokas, and his brother Michael Kokas. Jim is survived by his daughters Janet Kokas, Angela Kokas Johnson (Jason) ; grandchildren Jonathan Stephens, Zoie Dickens and Alexis Johnson as well as 7 loving nieces and nephews and his canine companion Lucky.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you donate to the Gary Sinise Foundation or a veterans/active duty troop organization of your choice to continue serving our troops and veterans in the way that Jim was so passionately doing after retiring from the us army.

Visitation will be on Monday, December 2, 2024 from 10-11 am in Akes Family’s “Chapel Of The Chimes” Riverside, California

Funeral Service will follow at 11 am then there will be a procession to Riverside National Cemetery for a 1 pm graveside committal service.

Celebration of life reception will be at the American Legion post 289 at 2:00 pm.

Arrangements entrusted to the care of Akes Family Funeral Home, Riverside, California.

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