James "Jim" Edward Kastl

Jim was 81 years old. He was born June 24, 1941 and passed on August 7, 2022.
Jim resided in Cortez, Colorado. Jim was born and raised in Pawhuska, Oklahoma.

Jim is preceded in death by his father, Harold “T-Bone” Kastl and his mother, Willa Mae Spybuck Tallchief and his step-father, Harry “Patch” Tallchief.

Jim is survived by his brother, Bobby Tallchief, his wife Rene and their family. Jim is survived by his son, Scott Christopher Kastl and his wife Thelma. Jim has three granddaughters: Ashley Sheets and husband Joshua, Cynthia Harless and husband Dillon, and Victoria Kastl. Jim has five great grandchildren. Jim is also preceded in death by his brothers Eves Tall Chief (Gary Kastl), Richard Kastl and John G. Tallchief.

Jim honorably served in the United States Navy as a medical corpsman. Jim went to bootcamp in San Diego, California in 1961 and was honorably discharged from the Navy in Jacksonville, Florida in 1965. After leaving the Navy, Jim attended and graduated from the University of Oklahoma. Jim retired from a position in the public health field having also served as director of nurses, clinical and home health, and the Bureau of Indian Affairs in Washington, D.C. Jim was a lifelong skier and hiker. He enjoyed canoeing, gardening, hunting, and camping. Jim was an avid motorcycle rider and he even raced as a young man. Jim was a dedicated active member with the Cortez VFW. In retirement, Jim was an amateur archaeologist, and was very interested in and knowledgeable in the Anasazi cultures, as well as other Native Cultures.

Jim will be deeply missed by all who knew him. His legacy will live on in everyone who was touched by him. Jim’s final resting place will be at the Greyhorse Cemetery, in Greyhorse, Oklahoma. Arrangements are incomplete as time.