James Mattes Ploucha

James Mattes Ploucha, 72, died after a sudden cardiac arrest, on 11/10/2022 in Hospice at St. Francis Reflections, Melbourne Regional Medical Center.

Jim was born in San Francisco, California and lived in Michigan before moving to Florida.

He was semi-retired from Apollo Surgery Center, Melbourne Florida as an Anesthesiologist. Previously he was employed at AIR (Anesthesia of Indian River) Medical Center for 13 years.

Jim took great joy in belonging to the Flying Eagles Radio Control Club where he engaged in his second love (the first being his wife) flying remote control airplanes. He was an avid chess player, enjoyed playing guitar (especially the blues), shooting pool, star gazing, and working on his planes. He would regal his friends with recitations of poetry, plays, and famous speeches. He especially enjoyed telling his patients the history of anesthesia. During surgeries, Jim would often text loved ones to keep them informed. He was known as a child and dog whisperer to everyone who knew him.

Jim was an academic and earned multiple degrees. He was a board certified/pediatric fellowship trained anesthesiologist. He received his PhD in physiology from Michigan State University college of Human Medicine prior to completing his medical degree from MSU College of Osteopathic Medicine in 1986. He completed his residency at Botsford General Hospital in 1989 and a fellowship at the Children's Hospital of Michigan in 1990. He worked 15 years at EW Sparrow Hospital, a large Level 1 trauma center in Lansing, MI. Jim also completed a PHD in animal physiology and attended commercial flight training from Ferris State University.

Survivors include his loving wife Phoebe Ploucha, his children Courtney (Zak Ducker), his step granddaughter Evie, his son Tyler Ploucha and his grandsons Jameson and Beckham Ploucha. Additionally, he leaves behind his stepson Matthew Magenheim (Jessica), his step granddaughter Maris, his stepdaughter Alexis Montgomery and her significant other Jake Murphy. Other loving family include David Brandt (Beth) and Jack and Liam. He also leaves behind his brother Larry Ploucha (Janet); sister Sharon Light (Ralph), niece Tracey Howard (Jon), grand-nephew Scott Howard, nephew Robert Light and stepbrother Greg Conant.

He is pre-deceased by his adoring mother Leotta Conant (Alfred), biological father William Nicholas Mattes and his adoptive father Thomas Ploucha.

A Celebration of Jim's life will be held at a future date.

Arrangements are by Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home and Crematory, Vero Beach.