James Wichert

October 25, 1956 -March 26, 2022.

Jim Wichert passed into his eternal reward suddenly on March 26, 2022.

He was born in Wisconsin, the fourth child of Irene and Paul Wichert. He had a childhood full of contentment, athletics and time spent outdoors and. Jim has had the same best friend since he was three years old in Todd Schram. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin with a degree in accounting. He was an entrepreneur with an acumen for business, beginning his business career in the trucking industry, and then changing to retail when he moved to Las Vegas in 1993. He was delighted with the gift of fatherhood when his son James Quincy was born in 1991 to him and his first wife. Jim opened the first Dollar Store in Las Vegas. Subsequently he began to add Dollar Store clients in various parts of the United States, leading one friend of his to refer to him as the Dollar Store Magnate.

During the years after his divorce he enjoyed traveling and spending time with his young son. Dollar Store Services, his company, was thriving. In 1999 his friends Joan and Paul Carapucci introduced him to their friend Kathie Wagner; Jim and Kathie married in January 2001. They enjoyed traveling, entertaining and outdoor activity with friends and family. In 2008 they welcomed with joy David James, and five and six years later lovingly included Katherine Rose and Destiny Marie. Jim was a caring and attentive parent, mixing humor and guidance with a touch of discipline. Jim returned to playing tennis, his favorite sport. As expected, he continued to develop a high level of performance on the court as in other areas of his life. He maintained his love for the Green Bay Packers at the same time as developing an interest in the Las Vegas Raiders. He and his family looked forward to spending time “up north,” in Black River Falls, Wisconsin, where they were able to hike, fish, relax with friends and family and work the land. It was important for Jim to instill a love and respect for the outdoors in all of his children.

Jim especially loved the fall when he could return to Black River for hunting season with Todd, Fred, Bill, Jim, Davey, David and Jerry. That’s when he felt most like himself.

Jim is a lifelong Catholic, and believed in the principles of service. Dollar Store Services has sponsored donations at Christmas for the Las Vegas Rescue Mission and other organizations for those in need. As a parishioner at Holy Spirit, Jim was a member of the Knights of Columbus, and he initiated and maintained the food donation program for a number of years, recruited others, and it remains in place today.

Jim was a superb family member. He was well loved for his generous nature and super specific advice. He was fun to be with, and maintained a high level of interest in the lives of friends and family. He was generous with his time, his advice, his enthusiasm, and his resources.

He was an attentive and devoted parent to his children, and a loving, supportive husband. He will be deeply and irreplaceably missed by all who knew and loved him.

He was predeceased by his daughter Mary Catherine, his parents Paul Wichert and Irene Wichert, and sister Diane Buchholz (Fred Buchholz) of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He is survived by his wife Kathleen T. Wagner MD, sons James Quincy and David James, daughters Katherine Rose and Destiny; sister Shirley Wichert, brother Paul Wichert (Jan), sister Christine Holley (Bruce Holley) and many beloved nieces, nephews and cousins.

In lieu of flowers, please consider sending a donation to the Las Vegas Rescue Mission or Peggy’s Attic which provides clothing, toys and supplies to children in foster care.