Finis Bass Passes Away 2008



Finis with classmate, Coach Dave Harris, formerly of Emporia State
Now Distance Coach at the U of Nebraska

Finis Bass Takes Baton from Charlie Lane

Finis Bass and Mark Leach

The funeral services for Finis were January 10. Many classmates from the class of 1973 attended as did friends from other class years of Warrensburg High School and other friends in the area. Thanks to each of you for attending and for so many of you sharing such wonderful memories of Finis during the service. We are now raising money to purchase a headstone for Finis. The Class of 1973 is donating $100.00 from its reunion fund to the Finis Bass Memorial. Finis was a favorite classmate of all of us, such a gifted athlete with a truly magnetic personality, you could not help but smile when you talked with Finis he had charisma. Finis W. Bass 

Finis Willard Bass, 54, physically left this earth Tuesday, December 30, 2008 in Warrensburg, Missouri. He was born October 8, 1954, the son of Raymond Bass, Sr and Mildred Estes Bass. Finis resided in Warrensburg at the time of his death. He was preceded in death by his mother, Mildred Estes Bass and Grandmother/Guardian Mim Estes.

Finis graduated from Germantown High School in Germantown, WI 1973. After graduating he held various jobs in Milwaukee and Warrensburg, MO. He married Paula Harvarth in the early 80’s in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. From that union a child. Nyajah Bass was born. They later parted ways years later he his long time companion Tonya Jones with who he had a son. James Bass in 2006.

Survivors include his father Raymond Bass, Sr and Step Mother Idella Bass, of Knob Noster, Mo, his two sons, Nyajah Bass, Milwaukee, WI, James Bass, Warrensburg, MO; 4 brothers Raymond (Vickie) Bass, Jr, Jerry (Jessie) Vance, both of Milwaukee, WI, Keith Bass, Higginsville, Mo Eric (Kelly) Bass, San Antonio, TX, 2 sisters, Melanie (Daryl) Carr, Enid OK. Tonya Bass, Raytown, MO, long time companion Tonya Jones, Warrensburg, MO; 2 nieces. Mallory Bass, Enid, OK; Mariah Bass, Higginsville, MO; and 7 nephews, Theo Bass, Jaren Vance, Jory Vance, all of Milwaukee, WI; Greg Bass, Baton Roughe, LA; Preston Bass and Peyton Bass, both of San Antonio, TX; London Bass, Higginsville, MO; along with many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. Thanks for information from Terry Neal, Carol Dunham and Carolyn James, Carolyn thank you for sending the pictures and the copy of the memorial service.

Raymond E. Bass

On Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2016, Raymond Eugene “Ray” Bass, Sr., 89, of Knob Noster, was greeted at Heaven’s gates by his loving parents, Louis “LB” and Geneva Bass, two brothers, Harold and Dean, and one son, Finis. He was surrounded and supported by his loving family and caregivers during the last days of his life.

He was born in Knob Noster on Sept. 5, 1927, the son of Louis B. and Geneva (Calvert) Bass.

In 1946 Raymond joined the U.S. Army where he proudly served for 20 years. He retired as a sergeant first-class. After he retired, he returned to his home of Knob Noster where he owned and operated multiple successful businesses for many years (Bass Trucking Company and Mr. B’s Convenient Store). He spent many years as a public servant in the capacities of city councilman, alderman, mayor pro tem, and mayor.

In August 1966 he married the love of his life, Idella “Del” Dickinson. To this union two of his children, Eric and Tonya, were born. They were married for 50 wonderful years. He was an amazing husband, father and friend who volunteered his time to “many” sports teams as a wonderful coach and mentor.

Raymond leaves many to cherish his wonderful memories: his wife, Idella Bass; three sons, Ray Bass, Jr. (Vicki) of Brown Deer, Wis., Keith Bass of Higginsville and Eric Bass (Christi) of San Antonio, Texas; two daughters, Melanie Carr (Deoral) of Enid, Okla., and Tonya Gresham (Bryant) of Kansas City; four sisters: Juanita Benton of Higginsville, Betty Benton (Travis) of Higginsville, Mary Steward of Knob Noster, Janet “Sue” Winters (Elbert) of Knob Noster; three brothers, Joseph Bass, Lawerence “Sonny” Bass (Dorothy) both of Warrensburg, Wayne Bass (Marie) of Odessa; 11 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m Wednesday, Oct. 19, at the Charity Christian Revival Center, with Apostle Willie Shields officiating. Interment will follow in Knob Noster Cemetery with full military honors. Pallbearers will be Theo, Greg, Ny, Preston and Peyton Bass and Jordan Gresham. Honorary pallbearers will be Raymond Bass Jr., Keith, Eric and London Bass, Deoral Carr, and Bryant Gresham. The family will receive friends Wednesday from 9 a.m. until service time at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the Alzheimer’s Association and can be left in care of Sweeney-Phillips & Holdren Funeral Home.