James Jesse Stahl

James Jesse Stahl (also affectionately known as Jim, Jimmy, Dad, Grandpa and Pa) of Austin, Texas passed away peacefully after a short illness on Saturday, November 1st at the age of 89 in the presence of his loving wife of 66 years, Elizabeth "Liz" Stahl.

Jim was born to Mattie nee Ryan and Jesse James Stahl in Falfurrias, Texas on April 17th, 1925 and moved to Austin when he was 13 years old. He attended University Junior High School and Austin High School, where he played baseball and football. He also served as Sergeant-at-Arms of the Franklin Club, helping the war effort by picking up used cooking oil from housewives all over Austin that was used to make explosives. He graduated from Austin High in 1943 having made many lifetime friends.

Jim left high school as early as possible so he could serve his country during World War II. When he was 17 years old, he took the Aviation Cadet Exam and was sworn into the Air Corps Reserves. On his 18th birthday, he officially volunteered and was called to duty on April 29, 1943. After being sent to Oklahoma A&M to take basic college courses for 3 months, he learned that he would not be able to pursue his dream of being a pilot due to "physical disabilities" and chose to train as an aircraft mechanic and aerial gunner at Sheppard Field in Wichita Falls. Not surprisingly, Jim made the most of his time there by trying out and making the football team, an accomplishment he was proud of. This meant no extra duty; just eating, sleeping and playing football. After 20 weeks of aircraft mechanics school, Jim was promoted to Corporal, thus qualifying him for a salary of $45.00 per month, an increase of $16.00. Another promotion to Sergeant after aerial gunnery school meant another nice pay raise and flight pay when he started flying. Jim stated that he "didn't have any trouble spending it." After four more months of intensive training, he and 25,000 other servicemen were transported on the Queen Mary, arriving in England in eight days and was then sent to Fano, Italy. He joined the 12th Air Force, 310th Bomb Group and the 380th Bomb Squadron and was assigned to a B-25 bomber as a bombardier. After flying combat missions regularly, Jim was awarded the Air Medal on May 21, 1945. After the German surrender he received a four day pass to Rome and was honored with an audience and a personal blessing by Pope Pius XII. During his time in Italy, Jim immersed himself in the Italian culture and considered his time spent there as one of the best opportunities of his life (and saw his first bikini!). He returned to the states July 11, 1945, having the benefit of being added to a crew that was piloted by a Colonel. Flying the southern route home, they crossed the equator twice, making emergency repairs in Rio de Janeiro and spending an extra night in Caracas just to celebrate (flying with a Colonel had it's benefits). He was in Austin when Japan surrendered, which meant he did not have to go to the Far East as planned. Jim was discharged in San Antonio on October 20, 1945 and went directly to a men's store in Austin to purchase new clothes. Though he was never to wear a uniform again he considered his time in the service as the best learning experience of his life.

Back in Austin, Jim pursued his new goal: enjoying civilian life. He played baseball, hung out with friends and eventually met the woman of his dreams in English class at UT (he recently confided to friends that he had seen her cheer at an Austin High football game and had set his sights on her). They were married on April 17, 1948 and after living for a year in Harlingen, they returned to Austin to raise their family and work for Liz's family business. In 1950 he began his career with Pool Transfer and Storage. After driving a moving van long distance for 10 years, he spent the remainder of his career as a member of the management team with other family members. Some of his favorite experiences were retrieving sporting goods to help Rooster Andrews open his first store and hauling baggage for the University of Texas football team, allowing him close access to the team and Memorial Stadium.

When he and Liz retired they chose to live on ten acres in the country close to Yoakum, Texas. During their 13 years there, they made many wonderful friends. Jim enjoyed gardening, riding his tractor, making beef jerky, piddling, and sitting on the porch reveling in the beautiful countryside. Only the need to be closer to family and medical facilities brought them back to Austin in 2005. Their move to the French Quarter Apartments began another new chapter; they traded ten acres for a two-bedroom apartment. They adapted quickly and discovered living there brought more opportunities to make new friends. Even when Jim was only able to get around in his motorized chair, he still enjoyed the afternoon gatherings outside with friends.

Jim had a friendly and outgoing personality and a sincere interest in everyone he met, which allowed him to quickly make friends with anyone. This easy charm led to a lifetime of adventures and fascinating stories, which Jim could tell like a master. Everyone who knew him knew that he was quick with a joke, easy to smile and laugh, was generous with his food and drink, including his famous homemade Kahlua, and loved a good party, especially when it was an event surrounded by family and friends.

Jim's love for life was only eclipsed by his love of family, including his wife Elizabeth "Liz" Stahl, their four children, Shari Busby, Lisa Rehak, Gary Stahl, and Max Stahl, ten grandchildren, Justin Busby and wife Joy, Ben Busby and wife Aimee, Elizabeth Barbee and husband Clay, Lana Trantham and husband Shea, Paige Moore and husband Grayson, Kristen Parker and husband Andrew, Brooke Stahl, Ryan Stahl and wife Courtney, Kate Cummings and husband David, and Abigail Snyder and husband Brett. He was excited to welcome his 12 great-grandchildren into the family: Hunter and Tyler Busby, Finley Busby, Hayes Trantham, Parker and Cassidy Moore, Addison and Luke Stahl, Gabe Cummings, and Ellie, Carson and Madelyn Snyder. He missed meeting his next great-granddaughter due to Kristen and Andrew Parker in the spring by just a few months. Also mourning his passing, is his sister and her husband Martha and Charles Howard, brother-in-law and his wife Sonny and Johnnie Pool, brother-in-law and his wife Skipper and Verna Pool, brother-in-law Steve Pool, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Jim was very involved in the community and service throughout his life. He was a dedicated Rotarian for 42 years, beginning in 1972 when Charles Howard sponsored his membership into the Austin Downtown Rotary Club. Three years after Jim joined, the president had the good fortune to ask him if he would be his Sergeant-at-Arms for the following year. The position was to be held for one year, but Jim did his job so well that the following fifteen presidents also asked him if he would be their Sergeant-at-Arms...just for a year. For nearly 830 weekly meetings Jim arrived early to be sure that the room was set up as required, that the flags were in place, the button board was in place, and all of the details had been accounted for. Then, he took up his place near the doorway to welcome his friends to Rotary, and to pass a few good stories to a select few, and to stand ready to handle anything that might need his attention. Jim was proud to have served in this capacity for 15 years. Upon retirement, Jim immediately transferred to the Rotary Club of Yoakum where he served as President in 1997-98 and Assistant Governor in 1998-99 and 2001-02. He happily volunteered at each monthly Country Music USA show, which raised money for scholarships, showing up early and staying late. Jim was honored to be recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow during his time in Yoakum. Upon their final move back to Austin in 2006, he joined the Austin Northeast Rotary Club. Though his health prevented him from being as involved as he would have liked, he was still named Rotarian of the Year for 2008-09. When he was no longer able to attend meetings, he was granted an Honorary Membership, the highest distinction that a Club may bestow on a Rotarian.

Additionally, he was a member of the Central Texas Wing of the Commemorative Air Force. He felt honored and privileged to have traveled with Honor Flight Austin in April 2013 to visit the National World War II Memorial in Washington DC. He was also proud to have served as President of the McCallum High School Booster Club in 1967-68 and as a coach to many of his sons' baseball teams, including the Babe Ruth League Champs of 1971. Jim was a passionate fan of UT athletics but also a proud Aggie Dad and Grandpa.

In keeping with Rotary's motto "service above self", Jim chose to will his body to the Texas A&M Medical School. There will be a memorial gathering on November 29th from 4-7 p.m. at the Saengerrunde Halle, 1607 San Jacinto Blvd, in order to celebrate and remember Jim's life, as well as tell a few of his more interesting tales. In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to any Veteran's organization, Honor Flight Austin, the Commemorative Air Force, or any charity of your choice.