Gary Kjos, 65, Jamestown, N.D., died Thursday, Aug. 12, at Eventide Nursing Home of Jamestown.

A memorial service will be held at Dahlstrom Funeral Home in Kulm on Aug. 27 at 1 p.m., with Pastor Jennifer McDonald of St. Paul United Methodist Church of Jamestown officiating.

Gary Lee Kjos was born Aug. 10, 1956, at Jamestown Hospital, the son of Harold and Adella Kjos, and was raised at Kulm, N.D. While attending Kulm High School, Kjos played in the band and was a member of the varsity football team. During the summer months, he played legion baseball, worked for local farmers, went fishing with an uncle and assisted his parents in their bulk petroleum business. He also enjoyed golfing.

Gary graduated from Kulm High School in 1974, and attended North Dakota State University, Fargo, majoring in civil engineering. He took a year off from college to assist his parents in operating Kulm Standard Service until that owner was able to sell the business. Gary returned to NDSU, graduating with a bachelor's degree in civil engineering in May 1979. Later that year, he was hired by the North Dakota Department of Transportation, working first at the Dickinson district office, followed by the Bismarck central office, and then the Devils Lake District office.  Gary was involved in various road projects and bridge inspections during his DOT career. Highlights include day-to-day oversight of highway improvements near Devils Lake during the high water years. In 1990, Kjos received his professional engineering license. He was faithful, honest, loyal and hard working.

Gary was baptized at Nazareth Congregational Church of Fredonia, confirmed at First Congregational Church of Kulm and attended St. Paul United Methodist Church of Jamestown.

Gary retired from ND DOT in May 2012 and moved to Jamestown so as to assist his mother who resided there until her death in 2017. In addition, Gary actively participated in the farming operation of a brother near Kulm.

Kjos was diagnosed with prostrate cancer in 2018, and underwent various forms of treatment through the Jamestown Regional Medical Center, Sanford Hospital and Roger Maris Cancer Center. Unfortunately, the cancer became very aggressive, culminating with brain surgery in early 2021. For several weeks afterward, Gary received JRMC hospice care while at home and during a short stay at JRMC and Eventide.

Gary is survived by: two brothers, Tim and Richard; a niece, Sara; one uncle, Mel Schmitz; and two aunts, Judy Schmitz and Lois Kjos; and a number of cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and several cousins.