Memorial service for James Russell "Jim" Bassel, 69, Claremont, California will be 10:30 am Saturday, March 15, 2014 at St. Paul's United Methodist Church, Lawton, with Rev. Lisa Beavers, Pastor, officiating. Jim died February 20, 2014 at his home after a courageous battle with prostate cancer. He was born June 8, 1944 at Fort Sill, Oklahoma to COL Russell W. and Marguerite (Spencer) Bassel. He grew up in Lawton where he was active in Boy Scouts and the Lawton High School Marching Band. He played several musical instruments, mastering the piano. He was a lifelong swimmer beginning in early childhood. He graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a B.S. and his P.E. in Civil Engineering. While at OU he was a member of the Acacia Fraternity. He completed Officer Training School at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas and was stationed at Mather Air Force Base near Sacramento, California. While in the Air Force he was deployed to Udorn, Thailand AFB with the 11th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron as a navigator on an unarmed F-4 Phantom II. Serving there from November 1969 until November 1970, he completed 189 missions over enemy lines. He volunteered for a number of dangerous missions including operations into Cambodia, refueling when necessary in mid-air. Under constant threat of hostile ground fire CPT Bassel distinguished himself during flights over Southeast Asia. He received numerous air medals including the Distinguished Flying Cross. After his military service he moved to Southern California where he resided for over 35 years and worked as a civil engineer for the U.S. Forest Service Technology and Development Center in San Dimas, California. He was lead engineer on environmental and wildlife conservation projects throughout the federal forest system. During the American Bicentennial of 1976 he bicycled across the continent in 44 days, departing from Williamsburg, Virginia and ending in Astoria, Oregon. He was the first bicyclist to complete the east to west route. He participated in century and double-century bicycle rides. Also a runner he ran the Honolulu and San Diego marathons and many ten kilometer races. He was a wine enthusiast and made frequent visits to vineyards throughout his beloved California. He supported the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Pasadena Playhouse and the Huntington Library and Gardens of San Marino. He enjoyed attending the symphony at the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles and outdoor summer concerts at the Hollywood Bowl. An opera buff, he attended operas at La Scala in Milan, Italy; Berlin, Germany; New York City, Santa Fe and San Francisco. He traveled the globe. An avid gardener, he grew orchids and award winning bonsai. He attended the First Congregational Church in Los Angeles and especially loved the organ concerts held there. He is survived by three sisters, Susan Heiligman of Palm Desert, California, Sarah Wiseman and Patricia Bassel, both of Lawton; three nephews, Lee Heiligman of Newport Beach, California, Todd Wiseman and James Wiseman, both of Lawton; great nephews and nieces, Lucy Lee Heiligman, Newport Beach, California, Roxanne and Brendan Wiseman, Lawton and Maddy Wiseman, Plano, Texas. He was preceded in death by his parents; a nephew, Chad Heiligman; a niece, Aimee Wiseman; and a brother in law, Dan Wiseman. Memorial contributions may be made to the Military Child Education Coalition, 909 Mountain Lion Circle, Harker Heights, Texas, 76548.