James E. Stuart, 85, of State College, died Thursday, February 15, 2017, at Elmcroft of State College.

Born June 25, 1931 in New Bethlehem, PA, he was a son of the late Louden A. Stuart and Lillian Anthony Stuart.

Jim was a 1949 graduate of Redbank Valley High School. During high school he played trombone and sang on a radio program with a group named the Harmony Strollers. After graduation he attended Penn State University, graduating in 1953 with a degree in Business Administration. Wasting no time, on June 13, 1953, he married his high school sweetheart and the love of his life, Lois Bowersox Stuart, who preceded him in death on March 18, 2015.

From 1953-1956 he served our country in the United States Air Force as a 1st Lieutenant and piloted a B-25 bomber. Upon discharge he returned to State College and began his 30 year career as a Purchasing Agent for Penn State University until his retirement in 1986.

He enjoyed hunting, fishing and camping as a member of White Deer Rod & Gun Club in Huntingdon County. He loved gardening and raised a wide variety of vegetables, tended a small fruit orchard, and grew grapes for home wine making. For 15 yrs he & his wife Lois spent several months each winter on Florida's Gulf coast. In their 70's they bought a cabin along the Allegheny River and spent weeks at a time enjoying the serenity, beautiful view, reading, music, and a multitude of river wildlife & birds, including eagles.

He was a self-taught guitar player as a young adult, which he continued to enjoy all his life. In later years he learned to play mandolin and played with a bluegrass/gospel group in various churches and at the Grange Fair. In his 70's he began composing gospel music which he played on guitar.

He was a member and "honorary grandfather" of Fairbrook United Methodist Church, in State College.

James is survived by one son, Tracy J. Stuart, of Milroy; one daughter, Kathleen E. Loewen and her husband, Mike, of State College; one brother, Roger Stuart and his wife, Shirley McCauley Stuart, of Lincoln, IL; one sister-in-law, Viola Shumaker, of Shippenville; two grandchildren, Jamie Tibbott, of Woodland, and Annie Reynolds; three nieces; several grandnieces and one grandnephew.

Along with his wife, James was preceded in death by one son, Terry L. Stuart, on July 24, 2016.

Friends will be received from 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Sunday, February 19, 2017, at the Mark D. Heintzelman Funeral and Cremation Services, 1034 Benner Pike, State College, PA. Friends will also be received from 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Monday, February 20, 2017, at the Fairbrook United Methodist Church, 4201 West Whitehall Rd. Pennsylvania Furnace. The funeral service will immediately follow with The Reverend Eugene McCallips officiating. Full military honors will be held immediately after the funeral service, followed by a luncheon provided by the church. All are invited to attend.

Burial will be Tuesday, February 21, 2017, in Centre County Memorial Park at the convenience of the family.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made in his memory to the Fairbrook United Methodist Church, 4201 W. Whitehall Rd, Pennsylvania Furnace, PA. 16865, or to the charity of your choice.