James L Stanton

James Louis Stanton, beloved child of God, was called home on August 6, 2025 at age 98 in Middleton, Wisconsin.

Cherished father to Mark, Tim (Mimi), John (Kristi) and Susan, and celebrated grandfather to Philip (Sienna), Zoe (Travis) Mercante, Harrison, Cady (Stanton Messimer), Abbey and Sam and great-grandfather to Eleanor and Adeline. Beloved brother-in-law to Hugo and Karolyn Tscharnack and uncle to Michael Kurth and Cheryl Goodwin.

Born on October 29, 1926 to Phil and Clara Stanton, Jim graduated early from Washington High School in Milwaukee, WI and enlisted in the United States Naval Reserves, serving in the Pacific and earning an Honorable Discharge in July 1946.

Preceded in death by his bride of 63 years, Shirley (Tscharnack), son Mark, his parents, brother Roger, sister Phyllis (Oliver) Kurth, niece Karen Kurth and nephews David and Tom Kurth.

Jim was a poet, story-teller, lover of puns and dad jokes, an engineer, a winemaker, a woodworker, a gardener, an avid reader, a faithful disciple of Christ, a veteran, a developer of unexpected recipes, a son, husband, brother-in-law, uncle, dad, grandfather, great-grandfather, great uncle and just a lovely human being. Some of the most important lessons he modeled were to use the gifts we've been given in service to others, respect others' gifts, be humble, live a life in service to the Lord, work hard to not hurt others, find joy in the little things because they are what matter, grow fruits and veggies and eat and share them.

Clever until the very end, Jim recently mentioned that "Linoleum played a very important role in my life." He and Shirley were set up by their bosses while he worked at a linoleum store and from there it all began. Much of his adult life was spent working as a manufacturing engineer at General Electric where many colleagues retired or celebrated birthdays with a poem from Jim. His writing skills crossed into other parts of his life like serving as Secretary of the Redemption Lutheran Church Council for 30+ years where he was known as a deep listener and for writing witty and engaging minutes.

Jim always expressed himself with words including the belief that "Heaven is my home. I am just here on a LONG visit." We are so grateful for your long visit. Welcome home and see ya later, Alligator!

Services will be held on Sunday, August 17 at Luther Manor in the Faith and Education Center, 4545 N. 92nd Street, Wauwatosa, Wisconsin. Visitation at 3pm, service at 4. Please join the family for food and fellowship following the service.

Another service will be held on Monday, August 18 in Madison at Attic Angel Place in the Community Room, 8301 Old Sauk Road, Middleton, Wisconsin. Service at 12:30, visitation and refreshments to follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Lutheran World Relief (lwr.org) or Special Olympics of Wisconsin (specialolympicswisconsin.org/).