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James P. Stodolka St Paul, MN QCWA # 5806 Chapter 8 |
Stodolka, James Peter 'Jim' Age 90, of St. Paul, died peacefully July 31, 2011. He is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Phyllis, and daughter, JoAnne. He is survived by sons, John (Colleen) and Michael (Ann); grandchildren, Anne Bulygo (Eric), Amy Bitzan (Nick), Paul, Cari, Jake, Maren, Jimmy and JoAnn. An only child, Jim grew up in the Midway district of St. Paul and graduated from Central High School.
He was the ninth person in Minnesota to have a ham radio license and his call sign, WØTIV, was familiar to hams everywhere '73'. Always interested in flying, Jim built his own flight simulator while in high school and went on to get his pilot's license while in ROTC at the University of Minnesota. For four years during WWII he was a B-25 flight instructor.
After the war, Jim entered the insurance industry with Anchor Casualty Company of St. Paul, which took him to Kansas City, Denver and back to St. Paul. Jim was the president of Lakeland Fire and Casualty Company, Edina, and also worked for the Minnesota Workers Compensation Bureau and the Insurance Information Center. He was active in several insurance organizations, including CPCU.
Jim was a member of St. Leo's (Lumen Christi) Catholic parish in St. Paul for 48 years. He was involved in many community organizations including the Hamline American Legion Post 418 where he proudly supported the baseball program for decades.
We'll always remember his wonderful sense of humor. Jim was a devoted husband and a loving father and grandfather. Jim was everybody's friend and it's fair to say, "Everyone liked Jim."
Jim's family would like to express their appreciation to the nurses and staff of Presbyterian Homes of Arden Hills for the kindness and love shown to our father. Mass of Christian Burial 10:00 AM Tuesday, August 9th at Lumen Christi Catholic Church, 2055 Bohland Ave., St. Paul. Visitation 4-8 PM Monday at O'Halloran & Murphy Funeral Home (575 S. Snelling Ave., St. Paul.) 651-698-0796 and one hour prior to Mass at church Tuesday. Interment Fort Snelling
National Cemetery. Memorials preferred to Lumen Christi Catholic Church or Presbyterian Homes of Arden Hills.
Central High School Alumnus
U of M grad w/Electrical Engineering Degree
WWII veteran - Flight instructor
Parents were from Little Falls, MN area
Started Lakeland Insurance Company
75 years in amateur 'Ham' radio WØTIV
Member of QCWA
Member of Hamline American Legion Post 418
Member of St. Leo's Lumin-Christi Church
Jim was active on all bands and is a member of OOTC #2343 and the Minnesota Wireless Association. Jim servered in the Air Force from 1942-1946 and acheived the rank of Captain. He has two married sons, seven grandchildern, one wife and a cat named 'Annie' that goes to sleep listenting to CW. Jim also enjoys baseball and gardening.
From Jim's guestbook:
August 03, 2011
Grandpa Jim-
As suprised as I was to hear of your passing, I am at peace knowing you have returned to life as you once knew it.
I will never forget sitting with you long ago so many times while you were talking to "your friend in Guam or Germany or Russia or Japan, or Korea..." on Ham radio. Nore will I forget the endless computer time you shared with me playing "Flight Simulator" and "Curtis", or simply teaching me how to operate one. THANK YOU!
I want to thank you for showing up to almost every softball game, basketball game, school play, musical, and graduation we(your grandchildren) were involved in and being such a GREAT supporter throughout our lives. I am thrilled you made it to my wedding being that it was near 0 degrees out and 30+ inches of snow on the ground- that just proves the kind of supporter we were SO lucky to have.
I was often asked "How is your Grandpa Stodolka doing?", to which I would respond" The Man of 10,000 jokes, he's doing well..." and allowed them to tell me about their experiences and memories of you. 99% of the time this was one of dad or Uncle Johns friends and they would always talk about how you were one of few parents that made it to EVERY baseball game they had and that they felt you were like a 2nd father to them.
I was also often told that "you were the type of guy that had a joke for EVERY situation." This IS a TRUE fact! the one consistant memory I have is your jokes- and yet I am still baffled at the fact that somehow you managed to NEVER once repeat yourself. Although, I have realized now, looking back at my younger years, the maturity level of these jokes seemed to consistantly increase with my age and maybe a bit with yours too.
I know now you are with Grandma and Joann and I wish you all the happiness- say Hi to them for me- and go in peace knowing we sure do miss and love all 3 of you down here!
Love you!
Amy Bitzan, St. Paul, Minnesota
