James Mattis, 61, of Wagner

*****Memorial services have been postponed until 2 PM, Wednesday, December 30, 2009 at the Rollie Buchholz VFW Post in Wagner.****

James William Mattis was born February 20, 1948 at Avon, SD, the only child of Ruben and Elaine (Hilli) Mattis. He died Monday, December 21, 2009 at the Community Memorial Hospital in Wagner.

Although Jim was born with two club feet and spent a lot of time at the Crippled Children''s Hospital, he attended a rural school with most of his cousins. He was finally able to walk without casts when he was in second grade. In May of 1966, he graduated from Avon High School.

In August of 1966, Jim married Delila Kuil of Wagner. He worked at Jack's Champlin, then at Ramsdell's Locker. Jim also owned his own body shop business. In 1969, he and his family moved to Watertown, where Jim was the meat manager for Red Owl. He returned to Wagner in 1970 to work road construction, with a side business of selling socks. In 1972, the family moved to Springfield, where he attended and graduated from USD/S. After graduation, the family moved back to the Wagner area where he started several businesses including a used car business, a bar called "The BARn" and The Second Street Store, amongst other things. He was a jack of all trades. Jim retired from the Charles Mix County jail in the 90's. Even though he's been retired for quite a while, he was always busy with rental property and keeping the lawns mowed. His last project was The Lazy J Hunting Lodge.

Thankful for sharing his life are his wife, Lila of Wagner; three children: Todd (Angie) Mattis, Troy (Patti) Mattis and Tila (Bruce) Anderson, all of Wagner; 11 beautiful grandchildren: Zachary, Joe, Jake, Jenna and Jefferson Mattis; Holland, Hannah and Hailee Mattis; and Anthony, Brendon and Jamie Anderson.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents.

Jim loved his wife, children and grandchildren. He also loved his trees, his animals and a good cold beer (in no particular order).

Jim will be sorely missed by all.