Roll Call Tribute

Published in San Jose(CA) Mercury News/San Mateo County Times on Dec. 18, 2017

James (Jim) Staehs(1933 - 2017)
James (Jim) Staehs
Jan. 19, 1933 - Dec. 5, 2017
San Jose, CA
James (Jim) Paul Staehs went home to be with the Lord on December 5. He was born in Beatrice, Nebraska, and attended Beatrice High School. Jim graduated from Texas A&M University in 1955 with a degree in Civil Engineering and was commissioned as a second Lieutenant in the US Air Force. He served as a navigator in the Strategic Air Command before moving to California in 1958.
His career included working as an engineer with the Waterways Experiment Station in Vicksburg, Mississippi; with the State of California, Water Resources; with Aerojet General Corporation in Sacramento, California; and with Lockheed Missiles & Space Company in Sunnyvale, California.
A man of vision and entrepreneurial skills, Jim founded, in 1981, JASTA, a design, development and manufacturing company in San Jose, California, that specialized in linear and rotary motion devices. Jim sold his company in 1994 and retired.
An ardent Texas Aggie, Jim loved Texas A&M and the friends he met there.
Jim was a true patriot. He loved his country and held all members of the military in high esteem. An Eagle Scout and a Scoutmaster for several years, he was active in BSA for over 50 years. He served on the Santa Clara County Council Board of Directors and was awarded the District Award of Merit and the Silver Beaver Award for distinguished service to youth.
He also was the organizer and first president of the Almaden Valley Boys Baseball Pony-Colt Baseball league, and served on the Board of the South Valley YMCA.
Jim was a man of strong convictions. He was a devout follower of Jesus Christ, and had served as congregation chairman of two churches. He had volunteered with City Team Ministries, taught Bible studies, served on building and various other church committees, and was active in Venture Christian Church.
Hobbies included golfing and traveling with his wife of 64 years, Dorthy. He was a loyal and true friend. God, Country, Family were his top priorities.
In addition to Dorthy, he leaves his daughter Jerri Lynn and her husband Jonathan Mills, and his daughter Sandra Kay and her husband Terence Moran, all of San Jose; and his son James Matthew Staehs and his wife Rina of Arlington, Texas. He also leaves 7 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren. James was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Janet and brother Joel.
Services will be held at Venture Christian Church, 16845 Hicks Road, Los Gatos, on January 11 at 4:00 PM.
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Sent by widow

James Paul Staehs ‘55

San Jose, CA
January 19, 1933-December 5, 2017

U.S. Air Force Veteran
Entrepreneur, founded and owned Jasta, a design,
development and manufacturing company,
specializing in linear and rotary motion devices.
Eagle Scout, Scoutmaster, active in BSA over
50 years, awarded District Award of Merit
and Silver Beaver Award for distinguished
service to youth.
Survivors: Wife of 64 years, Dorthy,
three children and their spouses, seven
grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.