James Edward Stauffer (“Jim”, “James E.”, or “Pop” to friends and family), 91, of Anderson, SC, died peacefully at AnMed Medical Center Anderson on June 29, 2023 after a brief illness.
James was born December 19, 1931 to Jacob Luke Stauffer and Mary Brown (Wolf) Stauffer of Brownstown, Lancaster County, PA.
He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Carleen (Nelson), son Mark, and four Stauffer brothers: Jacob “Jack”, Jay Thomas “Tom”, William “Bill” and Kenneth “Ted”.
He is survived by two daughters- Brenda Weber (John), and Carol Peter (Mark), sister Mary Ann Crockett, brother Philip “Butch” Stauffer (Gail), nine grandchildren, three great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
James graduated from J. P. McCaskey High School, class of 1950. He joined the Navy and served for seven years; he worked as a projectionist and taught Link Trainer Flight Simulator classes, then served another eight years in the Naval Reserves. James attended one semester at Penn State but decided the budding computer business was the way to go and gave IBM twenty-eight years of faithful service as a customer service rep. He got his commercial pilot license with his GI Bill and enjoyed flying private planes. James took early retirement at fifty-five and built a log cabin home near Lake Hartwell in Anderson.
James spent many hours fishing and boating, even before settling near the lake. As he raised his family in North Hills, PA, he enjoyed many other hobbies over the years, such as playing his vintage Martin guitar and singing country and folk songs around the house and around the fire in countless campgrounds across the lower 48 states. James visited almost every aviation museum in the U.S. as the family crisscrossed this great nation in their pop-up camper. He took up painting in his eighties and continued to participate in an art group until this last illness. He enjoyed watching the birds from his porch, making sure his feathered friends were well-fed and watered.
James came to know the Lord Jesus after he retired. He served as a deacon, sang in the choir, helped with vacation Bible school, drove the senior group to many out-of-town adventures, deposited the weekly offerings until he was 90, and did what he could to lend a hand at the Asbury Baptist Church in Anderson for several decades. He was much loved and will be missed by many.
A small memorial service will be held for church and family members at Asbury Baptist on Sunday, July 9, 2023 at 11:00 a.m., as well as a family graveside interment at White Marsh Memorial Park in Ambler, PA (date yet to be determined).
In lieu of flowers a memorial donation may be made in the name of
Jim Stauffer to: Asbury Baptist Church, 2770 Centerville Rd. Anderson, SC 29625
The Sosebee Mortuary and Crematory South Chapel is assisting the family with arrangements.
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