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James Roy Sterr, 75, passed away June 3, 2013 at Cobre Valley Regional Medical Center. He was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on November 24, 1937.
James “Jim” Sterr lived in Wisconsin as a child. His family relocated to Safford in 1951, where he graduated high school prior to attending Western New Mexico University. He began his teaching career in Wilcox. He then taught science and sixth grade at Winslow schools.
He held a number of extra jobs, including coaching junior high basketball, working with the US Forest Service, TV repair and tutoring. He received his master’s degree in education from Northern Arizona University.
Upon receiving his administrator’s certificate, he moved with his family to Miami to accept a position as principal at two elementary schools. He held administrative positions at Central Heights, Buena Vista, Inspiration Addition and Las Lomas Schools until his retirement.
Jim loved to volunteer his time as a Cobre Valley Regional Medical Center Auxiliary member. He was a passionate reader, and served as a longtime member of the Globe Library Board beginning in 1993, where he is remembered as a relentless library advocate.
“The library was one of his loves,” recalls Globe Public Library director Marion Steele.
“He was concerned about the community, and felt the library was a good way to go about [improving] it,” says board member Martha Gillette.
“If you ever wanted someone on your side it would be Jim,” she adds. “He was someone you would want as a friend, he was very genuine.”
He is survived by his loving wife of 28 years, Sandra, and his children Patti Hinton (Wil), Jan Vidimos (Jim), J.T. Sterr (Julie), Ron Sterr (Jennifer), James Pennington and Michael Pennington, as well as his sister Mary Lou Fuller (Hank), his brother Jerry Sterr (Annick) and 10 grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Reva Sparks Sterr, his son Jerry, and parents Jerry and Mildred.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Friends of the Globe Public Library and Cobre Valley Regional Medical Center Auxiliary.
Visitation
Monday, June 10, 2013 from 9:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
Miles Funeral Services Globe Chapel, 237 S. Sutherland St., Globe, AZ
Graveside Service
Monday, June 10, 2013 at 1:00 p.m.
Safford Union Cemetery, 450 West Discovery Park Blvd, Safford, AZ
Information provided by Miles Funeral Services
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