We are saddened to inform you that James “Jim” Stirling ’58 passed away on May 12, 2018.During his years on campus, Jim was a member of Theta Chi fraternity, a pre-theology student and president of his senior class. He served two local Methodist churches as a student pastor during these years. Following graduation, he married his college sweetheart, Patricia Stirling (1958), and immediately started his seminary education at Garrett Theological Seminary. After completing seminary, Jim was ordained by the Methodist Church and was appointed as pastor to a “new-church-start” congregation in New Berlin, Wisconsin. He was always out-going and enjoyed the challenge of building this church to be a faithful and thriving community. In the early seventies he entered the business world and developed skills in sales and management, building on his ministerial experience. Jim enjoyed keeping in touch with Wesleyan friends throughout his life and often wondered about those with whom he had lost contact. Jim lived with the effects of a severe stroke which he sustained when he was forty-seven. His positive attitude and determination helped him overcome many of the odds that could have stalled his life. He adored his family and helped raise five children to be industrious, kind and compassionate people. Despite the trials of life, Jim was one to search for the joy in each moment. Jim lived for eighty-two years and he lived his life fully.

Read his full obituary here: https://www.metcalfandjonkhoff.com/notices/James-Stirling