James R. Stirling

James Rudolph "Jim" Stirling of Petersburg, Va., died on Thursday morning, March 13, 2008, after living a rich life both professionally and personally.

He was 87 when he died of natural causes. Stirling was born in Saco, Maine, on Feb. 20, 1921, to James and Emerantine Stirling. He attended Thornton Academy where he was an All State tight end on the football team. He later married his high school sweetheart, Hope Berletti "Betty" Stirling of Biddeford, Maine, who had been a cheerleader. They left Maine when they married in 1945. A member of the Greatest Generation, Stirling dedicated a lifelong career in military service to his country, serving in a leadership role with the U.S. Army for better than 20 years, and then with the civil service.

He began his Army career as a captain in the Infantry during World War II, where he fought in the Battle of the Bulge, earning a Bronze Star for Valor. He was stationed in Algeria, with his young family at the end of World War II, and later served in the Korean conflict. Returning to the U.S., he dedicated his service to teaching young military officers until his retirement from the Army as major in the Quartermaster Corps in 1960. He then continued to serve as a leader in the civil service until his retirement in 1984. Because of his long military career (during which he was stationed in Europe, Africa, Korea and Okinawa, as well as New York, Indianapolis, Texas and Virginia) Jim and his wife Betty had friends all over the world. He was last stationed at Fort Lee, and the Stirlings remained in Petersburg after his retirement. They were members of Fort Lee's Officer's Club, the Country Club of Petersburg and Christ & Grace Episcopal Church, as well as being avid bridge players.

Combining their soft spoken Maine roots with their adopted Southern hospitality, they had a robust social life and enjoying entertaining. Stirling's leadership extended to civic roles, including membership in the Masonic Lodge and the Lions Club, for whom he led numerous Eye Bank drives to educate the public and seek donations in support of the Lion's vision and corneal transplant programs. To his family, Stirling was known as dignified and soft spoken, but with a warm-hearted affection, with eyes that sparkled when he laughed. He was gracious and loving, and leaves the legacy of the sons to whom he imparted valuable life lessons, and grandchildren who remember the interesting stories of his travels, and his eagerness to spend time with his family. Jim was predeceased by his wife, who died in 2001.

He is survived by: son Robert M. "Bob" Stirling and his wife, Dorotha, of Colonial Heights, Va.; son James H. "Jim" Stirling and his wife, Julianne, of Fairfield, Conn.; grandson, Brad Field and his wife, Cheri, of Potomac Falls, Va.; granddaughter, Elissa Thompson and her husband, Jeff, of Palm Beach, Fla.; and great-grandchildren, Liam Thompson, Blake Thompson, Rachel Field and Ava Field.

A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, March 20, 2008, at Southlawn Memorial Park, 1911 Birdsong Road, Petersburg, VA 23805. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, P.O. Box 5216, Glen Allen, VA 23058-5216. Condolences may be registered at www.jtmorriss.com.