Major General James B. Stodart Jr.

Major General James B. Stodart June 3, 1937 - May 5, 2010 Major General James B. Stodart, Jr., 72, formerly of Clearfield and most recently of State College passed away Wednesday, May 5, 2010. Born June 3, 1937, in Philipsburg he was the son of James Boynton Stodart, Sr. and Minerva K. (Bloom) Stodart Thurstin and his step-father Leslie C. Thurstin. Mr. Stodart was a member of the Clearfield Presbyterian Church where he was a elder and deacon. He graduated from the Lock Haven University in 1959 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education. He also earned a Master of Education degree in Counselor Education in 1965 from the Pennsylvania State University as well as a master's equivalency and Certification in School Psychology in 1969. On Nov. 4, 1958, he entered military service when he enlisted in the Lock Haven unit of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard. Following completion of Officer Candidate School, General Stodart was commissioned as Second Lieutenant in the Transportation Corps on Dec. 17, 1961, and was assigned as a platoon leader in Co. C, 228th Transportation Battalion, Clearfield. He was promoted to First Lieutenant on Dec. 16, 1964. General Stodart served twice as a company commander. He assumed his first command on Dec. 12, 1970, as Company commander of the 644th Light Maintenance Company and promoted to Captain on Dec. 13, 1970. He then commanded Company B, 728th Maintenance Battalion from Dec. 1971 until May 20, 1975. He was promoted to Major and served as S-2, 28th Infantry Division Support Command from May 1975 until Jan. 1977. He helped initiate and organize the 28th Material Management Center and served as the Maintenance Management Officer from Jan. 1977 until Dec. 1977. As a Lieutenant Colonel general Stodart commanded the 728th Maintenance Battalion from Dec. 1977 until Nov. 1981. In Nov. 1981, he was selected to be the Commander of the 28th Division Support Command (DISCOM) and was promoted to Colonel. He served in the position until he entered active duty to attend the resident course of the U.S. Army War College. Following graduation from the USAWC in May 1984, he returned to the position of 28th DISCOM Commander until August 1985. General Stodart was appointed the Assistant Division Commander for Support (ADC-S), 28th Infantry (Keystone) Division on August 19, 1985. He was promoted to Brigadier General on Nov. 29, 1985 and served as ADC-S until May 1987. On May 7, 1987, General Stodart was appointed Deputy Commanding General, Reserve Components for the First United States Army and was promoted to Major General on March 27, 1988. He held this position until his retirement on May 14, 1990. His military education includes the Ordnance Basic and Advanced Courses, the Command and General Staff College Nonresident Course, the APG Senior Reserve Component Maintenance Managers Course and the U.S. Army War College Resident Course. Awards and decorations received include the Legion of Merit, the Meritorious Service Medal (w/2OLC), the Army Commendation Medal, the Reserve Component Achievement Medal (w/2 OLC), the Armed Forces Reserve Medal, the Pennsylvania Commendation Medal, the Pennsylvania Service Ribbon, the Pennsylvania Twenty Year Service Medal, the MG Thomas R. White Medal and the General Thomas J. Stewart Medal. In 2006, he was inducted into the Lock Haven University Army ROTC Hall of Honor. He retired Public School Administrator, General Stodart and his wife Judy have resided in State College since 1989. General Stodart was a member of the Clearfield Masonic Lodge #314 F & AM, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks Lodge #540, Retired Officers Association of America, Military Officers Association of America, National Rifle Association and the PASSR. He is survived by his wife Judith (Byers) Stodart. General Stodart was preceded in death by his parents and his step-father. Funeral services will be held on Monday, May 10, 2010, at 1 p.m. at the Bennett and Houser Funeral Home, Inc., Clearfield with Rev. Earl M. Brooks officiating. Interment will be in Indiantown Gap National Cemetery. Full military honors will be accorded at the cemetery. Friends will be received at the funeral home on Sunday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. and on Monday from 12:00 noon until the hour of services. The family suggests that contributions be made to the American Cancer Society, 26 S 2nd St., Clearfield, PA 16830 or the Lock Haven University. To send an on-line tribute go to mem.com.