James Dennis "Jim" Minahan

James Dennis Minahan, 78, of Casper, Wyoming was called by our Lord on Wednesday, June 5, 2024.

James Dennis Minahan was born August 27, 1945 in Graceville, Minnesota, the eighth of nine children to Gerald and Dorothy Minahan. He grew up and graduated from high school in Beardsley, Minnesota. Jim’s dad ran a combining business, and Jim often helped his dad harvest crops. Even in high school Jim had a mechanical mind and built and drove race cars. After high school Jim joined the Air Force and while stationed at Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio, worked in communications for the Foreign Technology Division. Jim met the love of his life, Ret Hughes, in a Top Secret vault and they were married for 56 years.

Jim and Ret were blessed with two children, James J. and Katherin. The family moved to Wyoming in 1970 where Jim worked for Control Data and in uranium mining at Jeffrey City. The family moved back to Casper where Jim worked at Wyoming Machinery as a hydraulic mechanic for 23 years until his retirement.

Jim’s hobbies included woodworking, and hunting and fishing with his grandchildren and dear friends. Jim was a faith-filled man and volunteered for many improvement projects at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church, including installing a sprinkler system, building several handmade wooden pieces; he helped remodel the kitchen in the rectory, built closets for the nuns in the cottage, a tabernacle stand, and an altar.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents; siblings, Helen Grimly; Alice Fridgen; and Margaret Seeley; sister-in-law, Jeanette Minahan; and brothers-in-law, Manny Fridgen; Byron “Tank” Thomas; Wayne Seeley; and Warren Weick.

He is survived by his wife, Ret; son, James J. (Charmin) Minahan; daughter, Katherin White; grandchildren, Justin White; Jessica White; and Caitlin Minahan; brothers, Patrick and Richard (Donna) Minahan; sisters, Lucy Thomas; Carol Weick; and Donna (Richard) Frisch, and friends; Jack and Donna Ekstrom.

Ret wishes to thank the Our Lady of Fatima family, especially, Deacon Ed McCarthy, Father Philip Vaske; Ferne Freiberg, Kay Jones, Mary McMains, and Kelly Kalinowski.

Memorial contributions can be made in Jim’s name to Saint Anthony Tri-Parish School, 1145 West 20th Street, Casper, WY 82604 or the Casper Humane Society, 849 East E Street, Casper, WY 82601.

Mass of Christian Burial is scheduled for 11:00 am on Monday, June 17, 2024 at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church, 1401 CY Avenue, Casper, WY, 82604 with a reception following. Interment will be at Oregon Trail State Veterans Cemetery.

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