Jess Clayton Tarrant, 89, Sturgis, and formerly of White Owl, died Saturday, April 24, 2010 at the Sturgis Regional Senior Care Center.

Memorial services will be Friday, April 30, 2010 at 1:00 p.m. at the Kinkade Funeral Chapel in Sturgis with Pastor Harold Delbridge officiating. Inurnment with military honors by the Sturgis Veterans Honor Guard follows at the Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis.

A memorial has been established to the Enning Volunteer Ambulance Service.

Jess Clayton Tarrant was born January 21, 1921 to Albert Clayton and Minerva Given Tarrant at White Owl, South Dakota. Jess grew up on his father's homestead near White Owl. He graduated from Sturgis High School in 1939.

After School, Jess worked various jobs until he attended aircraft mechanics school in Lincoln, Nebraska for three months in 1944. He later entered the US Army in May 1945. After basic training, he spent a year in Freidburg, Germany in the 10th Field Artillery Battalion. He received his honorable discharge in November 1946.

After returning from Germany, he started farming and ranching with his father, Albert, as well as brother, Edgar. He married Marion Elsie Magenheimer on October 4, 1948. Having enjoyed his aircraft mechanics training and the experience of flight in the Army, Jess took flying lessons and received a private pilots license in 1949. He owned a small plane, with his brother, which they enjoyed for a number of years.

After many years of raising Hereford cattle with his family, he started raising registered Angus cattle in 1959, which became his greatest passion. He was a member of the American Angus Association for many years and had one of the first such herds in Meade County. Additionally, he was a member of the American Legion, Free Masonry, and the Shriners.

Survivors include his wife of 61 years, Elsie Tarrant, Sturgis; two daughters, Judy and Ron Smith, Gig Harbor, WA, Peggy and Kurt Hall, Seaside, CA; grandchildren, Zodanne and Conrad Hall; also numerous nieces, nephews, brothers and sisters in law.

Jess was preceded in death by his only son, William, as well as his parents.