James Robert Sturgeon, age 76, of Celina, OH, passed Sunday, June 2, 2024. He is brother to Anita Green, Dorothy Wagoner, John, Carolyn Rosean, Joe, Theresa Britch, and Betty Davis; a beloved uncle, and former spouse of Cindy (Leader). He is preceded in death by his mother Anita Sturgeon (Janssen), father Elmer James Sturgeon, sisters Rita and Mary and brothers Fred and Arthur.
Jim was born in Philadelphia, PA and was known for his unusually blue eyes and bright smile. He enjoyed working with his hands and was a brilliant artist, some of his later drawings being displayed in a museum. Before graduating high school, he enlisted in the United States Army and sent every paycheck in its entirety to support his mother and siblings who had fallen on hard times.
Trained as a radio controller in Germany he was later sent to Vietnam and given a courier position, a dangerous and lonely occupation that involved transporting documents by foot and plane. Shortly after his arrival he was hospitalized for toxemia and refused the opportunity to be sent home. He took particular pride in transporting requests from soldiers to take leave to see their wives. His many military experiences included one of collapsing in exhaustion at a base and waking to find he was the only soldier who had not fled a bombing.
Returning to the US was a difficult transition but he found solace in serving missionaries on the west coast and bringing the gospel to not only Mexican Americans but to his brother John, when he returned from the US Navy. They became close allies, eventually moving to Toledo, OH to be near their siblings who had also found faith in Jesus. There he attended Rets Institute of Technology and worked repairing business machines. He continued to enjoy drawing both nature scenes and coveted family portraits.
Jim loved his family, but was unable to acclimate to civilian life fully. Like many he carried the invisible wounds of his service to his death, but found comfort in nature, working as a national park guide, and ultimately, after he could no longer function in society, in animal companions such as “Princess” who faithfully stood by him to the end.
Friends and family are invited to attend the graveside service, which will be held at Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery, 10175 Rawiga Rd, Seville, OH on Thursday, June 27, 2024 at 12:15 in the afternoon in Shelter 3.
Cisco Funeral Homes of Celina & St. Marys are honored to care for Jim and his family. To pay respects and to leave online condolences or memories, visit www.ciscofuneralhome.com or Cisco Funeral Home Facebook page.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of James Robert Sturgeon, please visit our flower store.
Jim was born in Philadelphia, PA and was known for his unusually blue eyes and bright smile. He enjoyed working with his hands and was a brilliant artist, some of his later drawings being displayed in a museum. Before graduating high school, he enlisted in the United States Army and sent every paycheck in its entirety to support his mother and siblings who had fallen on hard times.
Trained as a radio controller in Germany he was later sent to Vietnam and given a courier position, a dangerous and lonely occupation that involved transporting documents by foot and plane. Shortly after his arrival he was hospitalized for toxemia and refused the opportunity to be sent home. He took particular pride in transporting requests from soldiers to take leave to see their wives. His many military experiences included one of collapsing in exhaustion at a base and waking to find he was the only soldier who had not fled a bombing.
Returning to the US was a difficult transition but he found solace in serving missionaries on the west coast and bringing the gospel to not only Mexican Americans but to his brother John, when he returned from the US Navy. They became close allies, eventually moving to Toledo, OH to be near their siblings who had also found faith in Jesus. There he attended Rets Institute of Technology and worked repairing business machines. He continued to enjoy drawing both nature scenes and coveted family portraits.
Jim loved his family, but was unable to acclimate to civilian life fully. Like many he carried the invisible wounds of his service to his death, but found comfort in nature, working as a national park guide, and ultimately, after he could no longer function in society, in animal companions such as “Princess” who faithfully stood by him to the end.
Friends and family are invited to attend the graveside service, which will be held at Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery, 10175 Rawiga Rd, Seville, OH on Thursday, June 27, 2024 at 12:15 in the afternoon in Shelter 3.
Cisco Funeral Homes of Celina & St. Marys are honored to care for Jim and his family. To pay respects and to leave online condolences or memories, visit www.ciscofuneralhome.com or Cisco Funeral Home Facebook page.
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