Final Salute

Jim Stoutamore was a pillar of our church community, His wife Cynthia has been right beside him – giving to MVPC daily in prayer, time, energy, organizational skills, leadership, financial support and love.
Jim grew up in Wyoming and Washington where he was active on the softball, football and baseball teams. His mom suggested it would be healthier to abstain from drinking and smoking, as so many were doing, and he took her advice. The parents of high school buddies were always glad when Jim drove their sons’ home from outings.
After graduating from the University of Wyoming as a civil engineer, Jim took his math teacher’s advice and attended Officer’s Candidate School in Rhode Island. He graduated as an Ensign and got married. He spent eight weeks at a naval base in Oxnard, California, two years in Kodiak, Alaska, and the rest of his time in Port Hueneme, California, where he taught math.
Another friend suggested an MBA would be a good investment, so he went to Stanford. Jim liked what he heard when PG&E came looking for recruits. He worked for PG&E for 30 years, retiring as VP of Gas Operations. All the while he continued in the Naval Reserves as a Seabee Officer, doing many projects and enjoying the friendship of like-minded reservists. He retired as a Captain.
During his years at PG&E he returned to Stanford as a prestigious Sloan Fellow. The family was living in Menlo Park and he was able to bike to school and they walked to Menlo Park Presbyterian Church.
They began attending MVPC in 1987 when they lived in Burton Valley. Whether through Men’s Bible Study, the group improving Camp Timberwolf for the Boy Scout troop, or serving on the Mexico trip, Jim has been an integral part of the activity. He also served as a Deacon, took the year-long Bethel Bible class and he and Cynthia regularly participated in a small group. Jim’s expertise in construction helped on many projects and his strength in the Lord has underpinned all he has done. Generations turned to those who have known him well to gain more insight to the man behind the smile.
Bob Green shared a story: “Jim was the first “Tool Man” on the Senior High Mexico trip. After hearing about the trip in the 1990s, he asked Pastor Mike McClenahan what he could do to help. Mike told him that they could use help with the tools and gave him Armor’s list of necessary tools. Jim went out and bought them all. When Mike asked how much the tools cost so the church could reimburse him, Jim told Mike that he had that covered. Jim organized the tools and went on the trip, driving a truck filled with tools.”
Jim served Camp Timberwolf as a Director and organized the construction, maintenance and improvement projects for the work parties for many years. Rudi Metzner reminisced that Jim “…was always friendly and dedicated; he had vision and inspiration, and always worked hard.” Tom McIntosh said that, based on a sketch he gave Jim, Jim designed and constructed an ingenious handwashing station so eight Scouts could clean up at the same time.
Don Drennan met Jim through Kiwanis and MVPC. They made many trips to Camp Timberwolf – loaded with building supplies so heavy Jim’s Volkswagen Bus barely made it up the hills. One set of projects involved adding a bathroom to each cabin which meant getting permits. Don remembers, “Jim was always so prepared and smiling when we walked into Plumas County Planning Department that they eventually began greeting us as we came in. “Here comes Mr. Stoutamore. Give him what he wants! When the MVPC Family Ministry Center was built, Jim was there every day, overseeing its construction, volunteering his time and expertise. With his infectious laugh and competency in everything he does, Jim is an amazing friend.”
Penny Nagle has been a close friend of the Stoutamore’s for many years. She reflected on the dedication Jim showed to MVPC’s Family Ministry Center as he made the work his job. “I have witnessed a man who has a heart of humility and kindness and yet enormous strength. To undertake a task, to fully commit and to complete a job takes a man of great integrity – that’s Jim Stroutamore!” Penny especially chose Psalm 25:21(NIV) for Jim: “May integrity and uprightness protect me because of my hope, Lord, is in you.”
So here is a glimpse at Jim Stoutamore – a man with a broad, ready smile behind which is an excellent mind, a great education, a heart for service and a love for people. He is a husband, father, grandfather, soldier, executive and volunteer, admired and liked by everyone who knows him because he and Cynthia live their lives in Christ. He’s doing what his Heavenly Father wants him to do!