James Stoecklin

James (Jim) Richard Stoecklin of Cincinnati passed away on May 4, 2016, at the age of 88. Jim was born in Cincinnati on November 24, 1927. He was preceded in death by his parents Edward J. Stoecklin and Helen M. (née Armacost) Stoecklin and his siblings Edward J. Stoecklin Jr., Elizabeth M. Berwanger (née Stoecklin) and Robert L. Stoecklin. He was survived by his loving wife Carol (née Pritchett) Stoecklin, his brother Kenneth Stoecklin and his three daughters and their families to include Kimberly (Stephen) Pipkin, Sandra (Terrence) Donovan, and Melissa (Barton Stano) Stoecklin. Jim was also a cherished grandfather to James Pipkin, Sarah (Ryan) Diener, Kimberly (Eric) Smith, Michael (Lilja) Donovan, and Katherine (Samuel) Morgan and great grandfather to Parker Smith.

Jim spent most of his life in the Greater Cincinnati area. His childhood home was in the Cincinnati neighborhood of Oakley where his family was an active member of the local United Methodist church. He graduated from Withrow High School and then served in the U.S. Coast Guard. Following his time in the service Jim graduated from the University of Cincinnati with a degree in business followed by attaining a Master of Business Administration degree from Xavier University. While attending the University of Cincinnati Jim met fellow student Carol Pritchett who became the love of his life and beloved wife of 66 years. After graduating from college Jim joined Procter & Gamble where he had a successful and meaningful 38-year career in a variety of product merchandising development roles.

Jim was an enthusiastic follower of sports. He especially loved the Cincinnati Bengals whom he followed as a season ticket holder every year since the team first began in Cincinnati. He made happy family memories with his daughters, son-in-law’s and grandchildren by taking turns with them accompanying him to Bengal games. He also loved watching his grandchildren participate in all their various school holiday performances and sporting events.

Jim was an avid sailor and a longtime member of the Cowan Lake Sailing Association. His family found great joy and togetherness through their summer sailing and racing adventures. Jim was also a longtime participant in barbershop quartet and chorus singing. He was a member of two award-winning Choruses: The Southern Gateway Chorus and the Alliance Chorus. Both choruses had success competing in numerous domestic and international competitions. Jim was also a talented artist who enjoyed sketching and painting. He used his artistic talent during his grandchildren’s birthday parties where he brought joy to children through his face painting skills.

Jim was a very good person, and it was always a pleasure to be with him. He was very easy going and maintained a sunny disposition emphasizing all the positives in life.

His smile was always consistent and always wide, his presence always extremely warm, attentive, and loving. His laugh came easily, and he was happy to hold hugs for an extremely long time. He was an optimist's optimist; he was often described as

"Wearing rose colored glasses". He was sincerely interested in the details of others' lives, especially his grandchildren where he’d engage with them from young ages with the hope of steering them toward making the right fundamental choices to set the foundation for happy and productive lives.

Jim and his family were longtime members of Armstrong United Methodist church in Indian Hill, Ohio. Armstrong was the center of Jim’s family’s Methodist upbringing, Sunday worship, the wedding ceremonies of his daughters and family baptisms.

Services will be held on May 7, 2016, at Armstrong Chapel, Indian Hill, Ohio. Donations can be directed to the donor's preferred charity.