James Joseph Sturgul Sr.

RENTON, Wash. - James Joseph Sturgul Sr., 78, of Renton, passed away peacefully in the presence of his family on Easter Sunday, April 16, 2017, after a long and courageous fight to overcome his health ailments.

James is survived by his devoted wife of 42 years, Amelia; his children, Christopher "Stoph" Sturgul, Brooklyn, N.Y., Isabelle Casey, Evergreen, Colo., Mary Petering, Houston, Texas, and James Joseph Sturgul Jr., Kent; their spouses, Mark Gallagher, Tony Casey, Troy Petering and Tammy Sturgul; four grandchildren, Lucille Astor Sturgul, Roman Arthur Sturgul, Ezekiel James Sturgul, and Pascual Eliseo Casey; as well as his brothers, Dr. John Sturgul, Adelaide, Australia, Paul Sturgul, Hurley, Wis., and Peter Sturgul, Ironwood, Mich.

James, son of the late Roman and Isabelle Sturgul, was born in Bessemer, Mich., on Sept. 6, 1938, and grew up near the shores of Lake Superior in the small mining town of Hurley. He was a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Superior, thereafter enlisting in the U.S. Army, where he served nine years. James spent most of his career in the aerospace industry as a buyer and worked for Martin Marietta in Orlando, Fla., United Technologies in West Palm Beach, Fla., and ultimately retired from the Boeing Company in Everett. Always one to keep busy, James also spent time as a real estate agent during his retirement.

An avid lover of nature and boat racing, James' passion for hydro runabout boat racing was revived soon after he retired. He proudly named his boat Sugie, (shoogie), which was the name he called his number one fan and greatest love, his wife, Amelia. His racing travels took him and his family all around the state of Washington, Michigan and Canada, where he consistently placed or won and acquired quite the trophy collection. Perhaps the most memorable and proudest race occurred in Lake Lawrence in Yelm, where James and his youngest son, James Jr., raced together and placed second and first, respectively.

James loved the outdoors and being amongst nature in all its glory. Come late spring and summer, one could find James diligently working in his vegetable garden. He would boast of how beautiful and fresh everything was or how tall and magnificent his sunflowers were. He loved to feel the warmth of the sun shining on his face and, in his later years, he found solace simply sitting by himself on the porch, eyes closed and smiling.

James had the gentlest of temperaments, sharpest of wits and a "steel trap" memory. He made an art form out of the distinct manner and style of how he would tell stories, jokes and do impersonations. An endearing trademark of his that, without fail, would leave one in tears of laughter.

Above all and most dear to James' heart was his family; family was everything. Amelia was his best friend and soul mate and his children were, by far, his proudest accomplishments. Through them, he instilled the values of respect, honesty, hard work and charity towards others, a legacy of his that will continue to live on.

A memorial service for James was held on Friday, April 21, at St. Stephen the Martyr Catholic Church in Renton, however a celebration of James' life and burial of his ashes will be held at a later date this year, yet to be confirmed, in Hurley. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to St. Mary's Catholic Church, 211 5th Ave. S, Hurley, WI 54534. Personal tributes and memoirs of James can be posted with his online obituary at bartonfuneral.com.