Funeral Services for Jimmy William Kalmus, 91, of Rosenberg, TX, are scheduled for 2:00 PM Friday, May 22, 2026, at Garmany & Carden Funeral Directors Chapel, 1201 4th Street, Rosenberg, TX 77471. Visitation will be from 1 - 2:00 PM Friday, for one hour preceding the Funeral Service. Burial will follow in Davis Greenlawn Cemetery, 3900 B F Terry Blvd, Rosenberg, TX 77471.

Serving as Pallbearers will be nephews, Joey Kalmus, Kevin Kalmus, Douglas Pekar, and Jason Filipp, and cousins, Donnie Kalmus and Mark DeShazo.

Jimmy William Kalmus was born in Hillje, TX, to Joe V. and Clara Zbranek Kalmus on November 22, 1934, being the third of 4 children. He died May 16, 2026, in Rosenberg, TX.

He was baptized on November 25, 1934, in St. Andrew's Catholic Church, Hillje, TX. His enduring work ethic was honed by picking cotton at an early age and working in his family's beer joint. Jimmy grew up in the Wharton area and attended Wharton High School, graduating in 1954. While in high school, he played end (#40) for 2 years on the Varsity Football team, ran track for one year, and was a member of FFA for 3 years. Jimmy had a motorcycle in high school and continued his love of biking for decades.

After graduation, Jimmy worked as a roughneck on an oil rig. He met his wife and lifelong love, Gussie Sydow, on a double date, though they were each with a different date.

He was drafted into the Army in 1957, but his entry was delayed by his wedding to Gussie on September 29, 1957. After only one month of marriage, Jimmy entered the service on October 29, 1957, after a brief honeymoon trip to New Orleans. He rode the train to basic training at Fort Carson, CO. He often spoke of the beauty of Fort Carson but also mentioned how cold it was and the thinness of the air. Jimmy completed basic Airborne School at Fort Bragg, NC. This would be the only time in his life to fly in an airplane. Because of bad weather, he only landed in an aircraft one time. All other times, he landed in combat boots under a parachute. He was a SP4 (E-4) serving at Fort Campbell, KY, with Company C, 502nd, 101st Airborne - Screaming Eagles. He transferred in 1959 to VIII US Army Corps (Reserve) in Austin, TX. During the Cuban Missile Crisis, he was called back into service from August 15, 1961, through August 7, 1962, serving in the 112th Armor 49th Armored Division at Fort Polk, LA. He was a life member of the 101st Airborne Association.

After returning from the service in 1957, Jimmy went to work for Dixie Truck Line as an eighteen-wheeler driver. Gussie also worked at the truck line, which was a family business through Gussie. Jimmy drove for the truck line until it closed in 1993. Afterwards, he worked for the Fort Bend County Extension Service for a number of years.

Jimmy enjoyed camping with his family and going to racing events at the Texas Speedway in College Station. He was proud of his well-maintained yard; he was meticulous about the trimming and edging of his yard. Jimmy loved to joke and kid around. Often Lisa's friends thought he was being serious. His freezer always contained Blue Bell, especially Homemade Vanilla, his personal favorite. He was also a fan of spicy food and salsas. His daughter and grand daughters were always seeking the hottest salsas to give him to help him find something with a "kick". Jimmy loved the music of Elvis Presley, Fats Domino, and Neil Diamond. Friends and family were aware as these artists were often playing on the stereo when the family would go camping in their camper at Tres Palacios Oaks. While he never saw Elvis in concert, he and his wife and daughter attended concerts in the 1980's of Fats Domino and Neil Diamond. Jimmy was a big fan of Nascar and Indy car racing. His favorite driver was A.J. Foyt and then Jeff Gordon. While he did not attend a university, he was a huge fan of the University of Texas, having season tickets to Longhorn football for decades. His attachment came from his older brother, who played football at the University of Texas. He watched all UT athletic events. He was also a fan of the NFL.

Jimmy had one daughter, Lisa, and two granddaughters, Shelby and Lindsey Smith. Lindsey attends Southwestern University in Georgetown, TX. Shelby is a graduate of Trinity University and the Bush School at Texas A & M University. She resides in Alexandria, VA. Jimmy was keenly proud of the academic success of his daughter and granddaughters but was thrilled when his younger granddaughter lettered in track and field, and he proudly attended her athletic banquet.

Everyone will miss his kind, generous spirit. He was deeply touched by suffering and hardships, especially involving children. He was known to reach into his own pocket to make sure children had Christmas presents.

When his wife, Gussie, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, he cared for her at home until her passing.

Jimmy was preceded in death by his wife of 52 years, Gussie Kalmus; his parents; siblings, Eline Pekar, Lawrence Kalmus, and Delores Hanke; and son-in-law, Mark Smith.

Survivors include his daughter, Lisa Kalmus of College Station, TX; granddaughters Shelby Smith of Alexandria, VA, and Lindsey Smith of Georgetown, TX; sisters-in-law, Zanelle Kalmus of Longview, TX, and Lena Filipp of Needville, TX; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Memorial Donations may be given in his memory to any veterans' charity, to St. Jude, or to a charity of your choice.

Condolence messages may be written for the Kalmus family at www.garmanycarden.com

Services are under the direction of Garmany & Carden Funeral Directors, 1201 4th Street, Rosenberg, TX 77471 (281)342-4671.