James Kaigler, 81, vet, railroad man, Elks member

Seldom did James Kaigler make mistakes when he called Bingo games. He spoke with a clear voice and had great timing.

Even when Mr. Kaigler stopped calling games, he still showed up at the Elks lodge on game nights to sell cards.

“I worked side by side with him,” said Alan Olmstead, treasurer for Atlanta-Northlake Lodge No. 78. “He’s the one who got me involved.”

James S. Kaigler, 81, of Snellville died of cancer Tuesday at his daughter’s home. The funeral will be 11 a.m. Friday in the Snellville chapel of Tom M. Wages Funeral Service, which is handling arrangements.

Mr. Kaigler graduated from Atlanta’s Tech High School. The World War II Army veteran worked 42 years for Southern Railroad and retired in the mid-1980s. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion.

He’d been a member of the Atlanta-Northlake Lodge for 62 years. Mr. Kaigler served as the lodge’s past Exalted Ruler and on its trustees board. He volunteered with the Elks at DeKalb’s Aidmore Hospital and the Veterans Administration Medical Center.

“His biggest enjoyment of his life was being able to serve and help others,” said his daughter, Karen E. Stinchcomb of Hoschton. “Ever since he’s been in the Army, he’s been with the Elks Club.”

Other survivors include a son, Richard W. Kaigler of Snellville; a daughter, Trina S. Crispino of Loganville; a stepdaughter, Jackie Robinson of Palm Harbor, Fla.; a stepson, Chuck Caricofe of Loganville; 11 grandchildren; and a great-grandchild.