James Stritikus, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend to all who knew him, was born on January 20, 1945, in Birmingham, Alabama. He passed away on July 15, 2019, at the VA Medical Center in Salt Lake City of complications from diabetes and leukemia related to his Vietnam service.

Jim served his country in the Army for 20 years in Vietnam, Europe, and in the states. He lived and worked in several states during his life. The final years of his career were spent at the VA Medical Center as a Federal law enforcement officer, in human resources, and then as the Director of Emergency Management. After his retirement from the VA, he continued serving on emergency management committees throughout the State of Utah and worked part-time greeting patrons at The Home Depot in Lehi. He had a great love for his family, for his country, and for helping others.

“At the end of the day it is not what you have but what you have done for others.”

Jim married Lorna Byron Eddleman, the love of his life, in November 1986, and they were sealed in the Dallas Texas Temple. Their combined family included 12 children. He is survived by his wife and his children: George (Mary) Eddleman, Theresa (Grant) Echols, Laura (Mark) Thurston, Heidi Frandsen, Lance (Peggy) Eddleman, Amy (Brian Curtis) Stritikus, James Drue (Kelly) Stritikus, Scott (Jill) Stritikus, Heather (James) Turner, Kalynn (Jamie) Smedley, Beth (Roger) Leuba, and Susan (Ron) Timmerman. He is also survived by 46 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, John Stritikus and Omega Louise Ross; his two siblings, George and Lyn; his grandson, Dustin Tyler Cornaby; and his granddaughter, Isabel Dueñas.

A viewing will be held the evening of Sunday, July 21, 2019, at the Anderson and Sons Funeral Home in Highland, Utah from 6:00 to 8:00 pm. Funeral Services will be held at the LDS Chapel at 150 East 1500 North in Lehi, Utah on Monday, July 22, 2019, at 11:00 am, with a brief viewing before the service from 9:45 to 10:45 am. His interment will be at Camp Williams following the service.

His family would like to thank his dedicated doctors and staff at the VA Hospital in Salt Lake City, Utah, who went above and beyond their duties in caring for him.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Fisher House Foundation at the VA hospital.