James Gress, Jr.

James Dean Gress, Jr., of Moorhead, MN, passed away Monday, June 20, 2011, at Sanford ICU, Fargo, from injuries sustained in a recent auto accident. He was thirty-two years old. James, or Jimmy as he was known to family and friends, was born at the Dakota Clinic in Fargo, ND, on December 23, 1978, to James Dean and Teri (Joyce) Gress. He grew up in Fargo and attended Fargo Public Schools. As a child, he enjoyed hunting and fishing with his Dad. He had a passion for Tae Kwon Do and was a junior black belt at age eight. Throughout his adult years, he worked in construction and for McDonald’s. He was presently employed at Northern Steel Supply. He was the proud father of four: Alexandra, Chad, Mary Ann and Serenity. Jim enjoyed trying to save the lives of those people suffering with addiction through talking and listening to their stories. He was admired by many in the recovery community of Fargo-Moorhead. He was a student at Minnesota State Community and Technical College. On October 9, 2010, he was joined in marriage to Sarah Chatelain at the Hjemkomst Stavkirche in Moorhead. He is survived by his wife, Sarah, Moorhead, MN, and their three week old baby daughter, Serenity Catherine; his daughter, Alexandra Gunderson, age 15 of West Fargo, ND; his mother, Teri Gress, Perham, MN; his father, James Dean (Xiaobin) Gress of Fargo; brother, Elijah Gress; sister, Melissa Gress, both of Fargo; grandmother, Doris Fuss; as well as many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews in the Fargo-Moorhead area. Funeral Service: Thursday, June 23, 2011, at 11:00 AM, at Triumph Lutheran Brethren Church, 2901 20th St. S., Moorhead, MN. Visitation: Wednesday, June 22, 2011, from 5-7 PM, with a Prayer Service at 7:00 PM, at Hanson-Runsvold Funeral Home, Fargo, ND.