James Stuart Erskine

James Stuart Erskine 64, of Pensacola, Florida, passed away unexpectedly on October 20th 2025.

Jim was born November 28, 1960 in Dover, Delaware the son of James M. Erskine and Judith Ann (Andrews) Erskine. Jim graduated from North Arlington High School in 1978, then went on to Montclair State University, graduating in 1982 with a Bachelor of Science, majoring in Education. Jim continued to take master level courses in Adolescent Psychology from Rowan University and Technical and Industrial Admin Management from Widener University.

Jim had many careers but by far his favorite was being a member of the Navy joining the service in 1982 and served until honorably discharged in 1990. Jim started his military career at the Naval Officer Candidate School in Pensacola, Florida before going to flight school on the same base. After getting his wings and becoming a Navy Pilot, Jim spent tours on aircraft carriers USS Ranger and the USS Carl Vincent flying the S-3, and F-14 aircrafts respectively. He also had the fortune of appearing as an extra in the original Top Gun movie while attending flight school at the Navy base in Mira Mar, California. Jim was a proud veteran who remained active in local VFWs and other veteran's service organizations, most notably as President of the Board for several years of Salute the Troops.

Jim married Katharine Hardy in 1989 in Charleston, South Carolina. They had two sons together and spent most of their time living together in Mount Laurel, New Jersey. After the boys graduated High School in 2011, both Kim and Jim moved to Rosendale, Wisconsin where they lived together until their divorce in 2018. Jim continued to reside in Rosendale until he moved back to Pensacola in January of 2025.

Throughout his life, Jim had many careers ranging from managing the daily operations and production of non-ferrous metal manufacturing at Thermal Reduction Company, to launching and becoming COO of a company designed to provide in-home computer services and repairs. He spent time as a substitute teacher in both New Jersey and Wisconsin, as well as a councilor at Camp Winona where he won the best councilor award his first year. Jim was in his element with kids, helping them learn and grow however he could. Jim also loved working with his hands, spending time in construction as a Project Manager for Powell Building Corporation before starting his own company Team Largo Construction in New Jersey, a nod to his Navy call sign: Largo. Jim especially loved wood working, often crafting beautiful pieces of furniture as gifts for friends and family or donations into silent auctions. Jim finished up his working career at the Walmart Distribution Center in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin before he retired on his 64th birthday, November 28th, 2024. In retirement, Jim had planned for an annual fishing trip and had completed some trophy fishing in Costa Rica and Panama, and was planning a trip to Fiji in Spring 2026.

Remaining to cherish Jim's memory are children, Jimmy Erskine and his wife Liz, Drew Erskine and his wife Emily; grandchildren, James and Elliott Erskine; brother, Bob Erskine and his wife Lisa; sister, Judy Graham and her husband John; nieces and nephews, Kristen (Graham) Clayton and her husband Joe, Kelly (Graham) Kirchgessner and her husband Joe, Sean Graham, Cinjun Erskine and his wife Zoe, Jordan (Erskine) Lane and her husband Dylan, Ginalee Erskine, and Robbiann Erskine. Jim also leaves behind his gentle and loving golden retriever Lily.

Memorial services with Military Honors will be held March 27, 2026 at 1:30p at Barrancas National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Jim's memory may be directed to Salute the Troops at www.salutethetroopswi.org