James Privett, age 61, of Huron, died peacefully Monday, June 8, 2015, at his home. His funeral service was at 2 PM, Friday, June 12th at Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church, with Rev. Daniel Domke, officiating. Military honors were conducted by the Huron Veterans Council.
James Randall Privett was born November 29, 1953, to Willard and Lydia (McGuire) Privett in Logan, West Virginia. At the age of 6, he and his family moved to Fremont, Nebraska. James attended Fremont High School, where he was an All-State Linebacker. He graduated from Fremont High School.
On July 10, 1972, James joined the United States Marines, where he continued to play football. He was honorably discharged on July 9, 1976. He returned to Oakland, Nebraska, and then later moved to Fremont. James worked in packing plants until 1985. In 1985, he moved to Springfield, South Dakota, where he worked as a prison guard at the State Penitentiary. In 1999, James moved to Huron where he worked at Dakota Central as a mail handler.
On May 12, 1973, James married Debra Hoffman in Fremont, Nebraska. They later divorced in 1994.
On February 10, 2015, James married Cynthia (Buckmaster) Root in Huron.
James enjoyed fishing, hunting, playing darts, and spending time with his family and friends. He was a great story teller, shared many jokes, and had an infectious laugh.
He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Ralph and Dallas "Pug"; and one sister-in-law, Linda.
Grateful for having shared in his life are his wife, Cynthia of Huron; three sons, Shawn (Angie Schultz) Privett of Wessington Springs, Toby (Sara) Privett of Harrisburg, and Jamie Privett of Yankton; one daughter, Lisa (Gaylon) Houtsma of Brandon; three step-children, Josh Root of Wyoming, Casey Root of Huron, and Jessica (Darin) Howard of Valley City, North Dakota; a special like-a-daughter, Robyn Whitmer of Montrose and her daughter, Hannah; ten grandchildren, Tayge, Addilynn, Gavin, Kayla, Morgan, Wesley, Hailey, Zachery, Madison, and Alyson; six step-grandchildren, Skiley, Derrick, Drake, Kaiden, Emma, Kinley, and two more on the way; four brothers, Larry Privett of Missouri, Phil Privett, Oliver (Linda) Privett of Cedar Bluffs, Nebraska, and Dana (Debbie) Privett of Fremont, Nebraska; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.