James "Jim" Stover

Jim was born on June 22, 1956, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to Harney and Barbara (Rising) Stover. He graduated from Whitefish Bay High School in 1974, received his bachelor's degree from Purdue University in 1978 (where he was a member of the Phi Gamma Delta “Fiji” fraternity), and received his MBA from Indiana Wesleyan University in 1989. On January 3, 1981, he married Anne Marie Pandl. Their daughter Elizabeth was born in 1990.

Jim began his career in the Marketing Associate Development Program at GTE in 1980. Following the introductory program, Jim accepted a permanent position at GTE in Carmel, Indiana in 1982. Jim’s 25-year career in telecommunications subsequently included positions at Illuminet in Olympia, Washington and Intrado, Inc. in Longmont, Colorado. Following his retirement from his corporate career, Jim co-founded a company that developed products for the disabled and allowed them to live more independently.

Jim loved sports, whether it was watching Elizabeth play youth soccer or cheering on his favorite NFL team, the Green Bay Packers. When Jim was diagnosed with Perthes’ as a child and temporarily unable to walk, he began to swim. Since he couldn’t stand on the starting blocks, his dad would toss him into the pool when the gun went off! Jim won many age group ribbons and medals and loved to joke that he “peaked at age 12”. He continued to swim through high school and his freshman year of college on the Purdue swim team. Following a spinal cord injury in 1978, Jim found further enjoyment in watching sports since he could no longer participate. In addition to the Packers, Jim’s favorite teams were the Purdue Boilermakers and Longmont High School Trojans, where he continued to attend various events after his daughter graduated in 2008.

Jim’s family had many golden retrievers when he was growing up, and he and Anne had 7 of their own during their married years. He leaves behind Kody and Mackey to grow old with Anne. Jim was also a movie buff who could quote lines from his favorite films on demand and entertain his friends and family with his spot-on impressions. Jim was known for his positive attitude, sense of humor, and desire to help other disabled people.

Jim was preceded in death by his father Harney, sister Betsy Rames Davis, and brother-in-law Doug Rames. He is survived by his wife Anne, daughter Elizabeth (Matt) Adams, granddaughter Scarlett James and second granddaughter due in May. He is further survived by his mother Barbara, sister Susan (Steve) Bell, sister-in-law Mary Sue (Chuck) Rogers, brother-in-law John (Laura) Pandl, and several nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life was held on Thursday, January 27th at Faith Community Lutheran Church in Longmont, Colorado. The family extends deep gratitude to those that braved the wintry Colorado to join them in celebrating Jim's life. For those that were not able to attend, Jim's service can be temporarily viewed here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/153vixpyXrE3yYDmz8t29FyA0hvqDz5yi?usp=sharing Donations in Jim's memoray may be sent to the Phi Gamma Delta Educational Foundation at Purdue University: https://www.phigam.org/MakeAGift. Please note “in memory of Jim Stover” in the comment section. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy are appreciated and may be shared at www.ahlbergfuneralchapel.com.