Highland Cemetery

Durant, Bryan County, Oklahoma

© Holmes Coffey Murray Funeral Service
Submitted by: Terry Dudley

Vince Patrick Kass

Submitted by: Matt Swearengin

October 20, 1963 ~ March 29, 2020

Vince Patrick Kass, 56, resident of Durant, OK passed unexpectedly from the arms of his adoring family and into those of his awaiting Lord and Savior on Sunday, March 29, 2020. He made his passage surrounded by his wife, eldest son and father-in-law.

Born on Sunday, October 20, 1963 in Topeka, Kansas, the youngest of five children and second son to the union of Francis Clement and Felicia Ann (Becker) Kass. During his childhood, the family would relocate as his father advanced in his career and Vince spent a number of his formative years growing up in Wichita, KS where he loved to tell stories about being neighborhood running pals with the Probst brothers, the oldest of which would go on to become the famed host of the storied CBS television reality series, Survivor. Later, he would joke that while his childhood friend would become a famous television personality, he was known for the permanent scar on Mr. Probst's arm, the result of a pellet gun war. Later, the family would again relocate to Oklahoma City where Vince completed his high school education, graduating with the Panther class of 1982 from Putnam City North High School. It was those years that gave rise to a lifelong love of muscle cars, old and new, and anything fast or adrenaline provoking. He worked hard before his senior year to make one of his favorite purchases after meeting and falling in love with a fire engine red, 1965 Mustang Fastback.

Following graduation, he quickly followed his older siblings to Texas and made a home and career start in and around the DFW area. He would follow family into the automotive industry and serve in various capacities throughout his long career. His start was humble as he pushed brooms, detailed cars and learned the industry, no matter the position, and his work ethic, hard work and determination led him to success. As a sales associate in the earlier years, he would earn the award of National AMC Jeep Salesman of the year among many accolades. Later, he regularly and consistently set and broke records serving over some of the area's largest collision repair centers and guiding them to success with his unique management style. It was at this time, as he was working hard and nurturing a healthy reputation for fun and living life to the fullest, the self-proclaimed bachelor for life would meet his match and within a couple of months dating, propose to Maria with the aid of his parent's birthday cake at a party surrounded by a stunned and cheering crowd of friends and loved ones. Those same loved ones he held so very dear once again surrounded the couple as they wed on Sweetest Day, Saturday, October 18, 1997 at the historic, century-old Round Grove United Church in Lewisville, TX. The couple again would repeat their vows in the church on August 13, 2005. After making their home in nearby Carrollton, his life's greatest blessings and legacies would soon follow with the births of daughter Madelynn Danielle in 1998 and son Casey Patrick in 2002, who would join their older brother James Brendon, who became Vince's son upon his marriage to Maria. A family man through and through, together with Maria, they made their home and life as they raised their children under his guiding principles, his selfless spirit, his Catholic faith, his strength, his amazing heart and his joy for living. Their love for each other only grew through life's good and bad times and they recently celebrated 22 years together in October. They would decide to move to Maria's hometown of Durant in 2015 to begin their dreams of finding the perfect little lake home on Lake Texoma where he spent so many happy, sunny days in his youth boating and becoming an accomplished water skier. There they planned to watch their children's lives unfold happily, spoil grandchildren and champion the empty nesters lifestyle. He was employed by the Choctaw Nation at the time of his passing.

Left to cherish and forever nurture his beautiful life and memory are his wife of 22 years, Maria of the home; sons James Brendon and Casey Patrick, also of the home; daughter, Madelynn Danielle, Arlington, TX. His adoring mother, Felicia of Frisco, Texas and sisters Julia Ann (Joe, D) Partridge of Carrollton, Texas; Karla Jean (Jim, D.) Kass Scott of Kansas City, MO; Jolene (Jim) Watson of Frisco, Texas; sister-in-law Gloria (Frank, D.) of Mesquite, Texas; and father-in-law, Marion L. Moore of Durant Also left to treasure their wonderful childhood memories with their Uncle Vince are a host of nieces and nephews and their spouses and children every one of which he adored, in addition to a large, extended family and network of dear friends. Waiting to greet his arrival in Heaven are father, Francis "Casey" Kass, brother Frank Kass, grandparents and brothers-in-law, Joe Partridge and Jim Scott, and several beloved aunts, uncles and cousins.

In keeping with his joy for life, it will be with such happiness and love that he will always be remembered. In church as we kneel and remember his love and faith of God that guided him in life and helped him as he guided others to their own faith. We will see him in the skiers and boaters enjoying his passion for being out on the open water. We will feel him in the mountains of Colorado that gave him so much peace as he hiked the trails and swooshed the slopes. We will hear his laughter in all the old movies we shared with him or laughing and talking the whole way through or his monotone efforts each time we enjoy all his classic rock favorites. We will see him in our travels as he learned of each new location and stored up his mementos and nostalgia. Hear his shouts with every KC Chiefs game that he was so steadfastly loyal to, even waiting 50 years to see that Superbowl win this year. We will remember him racing around that NASCAR track every time we see a sportscar, most especially a Mustang and with every shriek on a roller coaster. He is in every corny joke of his we repeat, every bear hug we receive and every kindness we give and receive, just as he gave, without a thought for himself. He will remain with us, guiding the way, as we seek him out through the stars he loved. He will be among us and preparing for our arrival until we meet again.

A private Mass of Christian burial will be held for immediate family only, due to the Coronavirus, at St. William Catholic Church on Monday, April 7th followed by private burial at Highland Cemetery in Durant. A celebration of Vince's life is presently being planned to be in Texas with details forthcoming.

In lieu of floral tributes, the family suggests donations in his honor to The American Heart Association, The American Cancer Society or Catholic Charities Worldwide or a local parish, or to the charity of your choosing.

Services are under the direction of Holmes-Coffey-Murray Funeral Home in Durant, Oklahoma. www.holmescoffeymurray.com