STINEKRAUS, JAMES E.

James Edward Stinekraus (8/6/1924-3/2/2014) Papa Jim was born in Oneida, TN, son of Laura Hammock and Edward Oliver Stinekraus. He was raised in Helenwood and Knoxville, graduating from Knoxville High School. In WWII, he served as a Marine Raider under Evans Carlson, surviving Bougainville, Guam, Okinawa and Wake Island. He was among the first Marines to land in Japan. After the war, he worked his way through college by following the wheat harvest east to west and working as a lumberjack in Oregon. It was there that he met the love of his life, Janette Fulton, who shared his journey for 64 years. He took his Bachelor’s degree from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, and his Masters in Journalism from the University of Florida at Gainesville. His varied career included stints as a gandy dancer for the railroad, a professional magician, owner of a coal yard, traveling salesman, for Kendall Mills, Ship and Shore, Carrot Top, Addressograph Multigraph Office Equipment, American Sterilizer, Homelite Chain Saws, and president and GM of Wallace Equipment. He then decided to do what he had always dreamed of, but could not afford while raising a family: teach school. He taught science at Landon Junior High School for several years, and then taught physics and astronomy at Fletcher Senior High School until retirement. He loved every minute of teaching and his students were a great source of pride. He maintained an active and diverse lifestyle before and after retirement. He learned to sail, got a boat, and with Janette sailed to the islands several times. They traveled in South America, Canada and Hawaii, and crossed the U.S. many times. He was active in the Marine Raider Association, and a member of the VFW, the American Legion, the Fleet Reserve, the Loyal Order of Moose and The Linking Ring. For years he enjoyed the Sunday Discussion Group at the beach, and attended the Unitarian Universalist Church. He was well known and loved throughout the community. Papa Jim is survived by his wife Janette, daughters Robin Johnson and Lauralee Till, son-in -law Butch Till, grandsons Aaron and Devon Till, niece Madeline (George) Brown, cousins Rheva Patton, Mary C. Hammock, Jim (Susan) Hammock, and Hinu and Wiha Funmaker. He is also survived by special friends, Joy and Craig Cogburn, Linda Fisher, Nadine McDade, George Clapp, Cheri (Ralph) Baker, John Irvine, David and Eddie Wotanis, Don Jenkins, Steve Mabry, Gwen Maida, Laurita (Glen) Addams, Cricket (Doug) Morris, Sam Kirsch, Phil Edwards, Harriett Pruett, Trudy Callahan and many other dear friends across the country. A Celebration of his life will be held at the VFW Post 3270, 915 8th Avenue South in Jacksonville Beach on Sunday, March 16 at 2:00 PM.