James F. (Jim) Struempf

James F. (Jim) Struempf passed away Saturday, November 21, 2020 in Sun City, Arizona of acute respiratory failure. He was born in 1951, the fourth son of Clem and Mary Ann Struempf. James (Jim) graduated in 1969 from Helias Catholic High School, Jefferson City, Missouri. He continued his education at Missouri Science & Technology (formerly UMR) with a degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1975. He graduated Cum Laude and was 14th in his graduation class. During his high school years, he worked for the East End Drug Store, and the KU-KU Drive-In. While in college, he completed an internship with Conoco Inc. and continued to work for oil companies in numerous locations in the midwestern United States. In 1997, he married Connie Gardner in Bellingham, Washington, and they relocated to Anchorage, Alaska, both with new positions for VECO Engineering where Jim continued his ten-year career with VECO. He completed his career as a Project Manager for oil and gas engineering firms in Bellingham, Washington, and Anchorage, Alaska. Jim retired in Sun City West, Arizona. There he purchased his beloved 1966 Ford Ranchero and became very active in the Automotive Restoration Club of Sun City West. His happiest times in retirement were reading series novels, watching YouTube videos, and driving his Ranchero. He also loved laughing, making jokes, fishing, guitars, electronic gadgets, vintage muscle cars, Space X, and shopping. Survivors include his wife, Connie; brothers, Sam Struempf and Pat (Beth) Struempf; and sister, Mary (Tom) Stokes; nieces, Valerie (Doug) Mueller, Kim (Tim) Kraus, and Mandy (Famous) Lewis; great-nephews, Brad Mueller, Sam Kraus, and Chase Lewis; and a great-niece, Molly Kraus (Austin Wilson). Jim was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Jerry. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date due to the pandemic. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Helias Catholic High School, 1305 Swifts Hwy., Jefferson City, MO 65109, www.heliascatholic.com or the American Heart Association, www.heart.org. Condolences may be left online for the family at www.caminodelsol.com