James Sztuk

He was a man of few words — and the words he chose landed every time, usually delivered with a grin. And if you were lucky enough to ask him for help or advice, you already knew the answer before he said it: "Absolutely!" Born and raised in Port Clinton, Ohio, “Jimmie” was a proud graduate of Port Clinton High School and Bowling Green State University. His parents raised him and his three older siblings to work hard, serve others, love God, family and friends, and to laugh. He built his life that was, by every measure, exactly that. He lived his life out loud. You never had to second guess or question who he was.

He made his home in the Palm Beach area, where he was described as an “icon” and “legend” by his peers in the luxury architecturally designed window and door industry. Working shoulder-to-shoulder with talented architects, contractors, and peers on high-end, prestigious projects, he brought quiet confidence that made people trust him. His technical expertise let the quality speak for itself. He serviced his clients with integrity — a philosophy that worked remarkably well in business, and even better in life. Jim was an expert in hurricane impact. He played a significant role in authoring international codes and testing the first hurricane impact windows and doors.

He chased everything he loved — and he loved a lot. He loved sports and was on the PCHS Varsity Basketball and Golf teams. He fished with patience, watched NASCAR and football with focused appreciation, and attacked a golf course as a man who never fully accepted the concept of a bad round. On the water, he was completely in his element, racing sailboats in the Intracoastal Waterway and sailing including regattas on the waters of the Lake Erie he'd known and loved since boyhood. He was a scuba diver and even purchased a flawed boat hull and built a boat he and his wife took out regularly into the ocean to dive and fish. He built sand rails and drove them through the dunes of Michigan and local roads. He was the snow skier that swooshed perfectly straight down the mountain. His love of the outdoors led him to the Appalachian Trail where he and his BFF Dave Dubbert backpacked trails and came home with stories that would hurt your sides. Jim’s love of the Smokey Mountains led him to his favorite place – his cabin called Rocky View in Bryson City, North Carolina, where the mountains held exactly the kind of peace he always knew how to find.

Jim loved to breathe life into old things, frequently rebuilding engines, discovering old tools and chisels, bringing them back to glory. He searched civil and revolutionary war sites for artifacts, beaches and sites with his metal detector. Jim and his wife, Leanne, loved to restore homes. They helped create a historic neighborhood, the first in West Palm Beach, and helped form the El Cid Historic Neighborhood Association where Jim served on the board and President for several years. In the late 1980’s they worked hard to restore their 1926 home and revitalize the neighborhood, and downtown West Palm Beach, serving on numerous committees and boards. Jim recognized the possibilities of a viable beautiful neighborhood and city that at that time were incredibly neglected and crime ridden. He and a core of fabulous neighbors believed in being a positive catalyst for change. He helped organize historic home tours and other events that helped launch revitalization efforts to bring families and professionals to the neighborhood and downtown. It is incredible to see the result of all their hard work in West Palm Beach.

But above all of it — above every trophy, every restoration, every well-timed one-liner — absolutely was his strong faith in Christ. He adored his family and friends, and he loved them absolutely. For forty years, he was devoted to his soul mate, Leanne, the woman he described in exactly those terms and called her the love of his life. His precious daughters inherited his grin, his humor, and — if they're being honest — probably his stubbornness, too. They carry their father's same quiet way, his frequent expressions of love, his ready smile, his understated presence and manner in everything they do. This September, Jim’s first grandchild is expected to arrive. His legacy continues! He didn't say "I love you" in long speeches. He said it in the way he showed up, in the way he laughed, in the way he looked at Leanne like she was still the best thing that had ever happened to him. And he absolutely was for her.

Jim is survived by his wife of 40 years, Leanne (Odegaard), his precious daughters Sydney Dugal (Spenser), Rylee Sztuk, his sister Mary Lou Suhrbier, and brother Ed Sztuk, and his nephew Patrick Lowein (Dana) and their beautiful daughters. Jim dearly loved his mother-in-law Jan Odegaard, and sisters and brothers-in-law Lynne and Phil Pickett, Loren Odegaard, Lea and Matt Skotynsky, Gloria Odegaard and his nieces Lauren Hatstat (Dan), Katie Dixon (Chase), Madeline and Alison Pickett, Mitchel Skotynsky (Allex), Michael Skotynsky, Kari and Lee Odegaard, Michael Chan (Courtney) and his great-nieces and nephews. Jim and Leanne held Jacqueline Bésola (Alex), Marissa Justice (Chris), and Lisa Bossart as part of their family. Jim was pre-deceased by his parents Ed and Audrey Sztuk (Jeremy), sister Tana Lowein, her husband Skip, his brother-in-law Raymond Suhrbier, and his father-in-law, Lee Odegaard.

Jim said he was, “in God’s strong hands”. Absolutely! He took Christ’s hand firmly and peacefully walked through heaven’s gates. Actually, he may have run through them! He knew where he was going.

There will be no replacing the warmth of a man who could walk into a room, say very little, and somehow make everyone in happier. He loved his friends, family, neighbors and peers. He would often conclude conversations with, “I love you”. If you knew him, you already know what he would say about all of this — about the tributes, the tears, the fuss being made on his behalf. He'd shake his head slowly, flash that grin, and absolutely say with a humble finality that closed every argument: "I love you.” And if you said, “I love you more!”, he would look you in the eye and respond with a big smile, “Inconceivable!”

Funeral Arrangements have been entrusted to Quattlebaum Funeral, Cremation & Event Center at Hillcrest Memorial Park. The visitation will be held on Friday, June 12, 2026, from 4:00 - 7:00 pm at the funeral home, 6411 Parker Avenue, West Palm Beach, Florida. The funeral service will be on Saturday, June 13, 2026, at 11:00 am, at The Family Church Downtown, 1101 S Flagler Dr, West Palm Beach, Florida. The Sztuk family invites everyone to join them for fellowship and light refreshments immediately following the funeral service at the Church Hall. The burial will take place at Hillcrest Memorial Park, 6411 Parker Avenue, West Palm Beach, Florida.

A celebration of life is being planned at a later date in Port Clinton, Ohio.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Family Church, or the Swain County Fire and Rescue