James E. “Ed” Kazee - 1917-2007
America has lost another of its “Greatest Generation”. Following a courageous battle with cancer, Ed Kazee, age 90, of Ashland, Ky., died in King’s Daughters Medical Center on Nov. 20, 2007.
He was born in Ashland on Feb. 19, 1917, the oldest son of the late Homer and Nellie Elizabeth Day Kazee. A sister and a brother died in infancy. He was also preceded in death by his wife, Ada Crooks Kazee, who died in 1990 and a brother, Vernon Kazee.
He is survived by his daughter, Nancy Kazee of Ashland; brothers, Bill (Edna) Kazee of Hanging Rock, Ohio, Claude (Dot) Kazee of Lake Charles, La., and Charles (Helena) Kazee of Kingston, Ohio; sisters, Lillian Pruitt of Ashland and Betty (Chris) Kitchen of Bowling Green, Ky.; special friends, Mr. and Mrs. Jim Epling of Ashland and many other relatives who loved him and will miss him. He was Christian by faith.
Throughout his lifetime, Ed was proud to serve his country wherever the need. While still a teenager, he served in the Civilian Conservation Corps set up by the Federal Government during the great depression. After that, he went to work on the WPA, another government-sponsored project of the late 20’s and early 30’s. After that, he worked in a shirt factory in Ashland where he met his future wife whom he married in October 1936.
He began his career at Armco in 1937 where he worked as a crane operator for the next 46 years except for a tour of duty in the military from 1943 until 1945. He served in the 141st Infantry, which was one of the most famous fighting units in World War II. The Company in which he served was sent in to relieve the initial troops who had been involved in Operation D-Day on Aug. 15, 1944. In the first battle he was in, his Captain was shot along with many of his comrades. In the second battle, he participated in on Dec. 6, 1944 while on patrol, his lieutenant was shot in the forehead and killed instantly. While assisting the lieutenant Ed was shot in the hip. After spending many months in Army hospitals, he was discharged in November 1945. He was awarded the Purple Heart, American Theater Ribbon, EAME ribbon, a Good Conduct Ribbon and two Battle Stars. After retirement, Ed enjoyed many fishing trips with his wife and his brother, Bill.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 24, 2007 at Steen Funeral Home-Central Avenue Chapel in Ashland. Burial will follow in Ashland Cemetery.
Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. until service time.
Online condolences may be made to www.steenfuneralhomes.com
