James Stroot

James (Jim) Stroot, of Menifee California, ended his courageous battle with canceron Friday, January 7, 2011 surrounded by loved ones. He was 66 years old.Jim was born in Torrance, California on May 26, 1944 to the late Charles andKathryn Stroot. One of seven children, he grew up in Redondo Beach, California.After graduating from Redondo Union High School he received an academicscholarship from the University of Southern California. There he received a BAdegree in Mathematics and graduated Magna Cum Laude, with the high academichonors of Phi Beta Kappa, and Phi Kappa Phi. He continued his academic pursuitattaining an MA in Mathematics in 1968, and completed course work for his PhDall at the University of Southern California. During this time, Jim also taughtundergraduate mathematics at his Alma Mater.Jim’s 35-year career as an Engineer started with Logicon in San Diego before hiringon with Honeywell, Inc. at which time he made LaVerne, California his home. He leftHoneywell after 10 years to help launch the start-up company, Talon Instruments inSan Dimas, California. He later moved to Claremont and finished his career workingfor the prestigious Jet Propulsion Laboratories (JPL) in Pasadena where he was theManager of the Deep Space Network System.Among other hobbies, Jim was passionate about sports. Throughout his life, heenjoyed playing basketball, racquetball, and tennis. He also waterskied, golfed andwatched even more sports on TV. He loved rooting for the USC Trojans. He andhis son Dan, a graduate of UCLA, always had a friendly bet going when the big USCvs. UCLA game took place (Jim usually won that bet). He had a love for nearly anygame whether he was playing, watching or betting on it. He also liked to play cards,especially if strategy and card counting was involved.He was an avid reader and had a brilliant mind. He had a contagious laugh, andloved a good joke. People were always impressed by his intellect, humor andathletic ability. However, one of the most impressive things he did was to becomevictorious over alcohol. He began his sobriety bravely in 2000. That courageousstep improved his life and helped heal many relationships.During his final years, Jim lived in Menifee, California where he was closer to hisfamily and found a community that provided the opportunity to spend more timeplaying the game he grew to love, tennis. Jim formed a network of friends that werealways up for a game and especially loved it when his sister Marian came to play.Jim’s greatest joy later in life was his role as Grandpa Jim. He loved to play withhis six grandchildren and was there to watch them excel in their sport of choice.Grandpa Jim wanted to be involved in the lives of his grandchildren includingtalking, listening, playing or just getting them to smile.Predeceased is Jim’s mother, father and brother Patrick. He is survived by hischildren: Daniel Stroot and wife Julie, Deanne Campbell and husband Brian, DouglasStroot and wife Bonnie; his grandchildren, Matthew & Elise Stroot, Madeline &Sarah Campbell, Aidan & Kelly Stroot. He will be deeply missed by his entire familyincluding the mother of his children, Jeanette Stroot, sister Nancy Dufresne, brotherMichael Stroot and wife Jane, sister Sue Sweet and husband Tom, sister MarianChristensen & husband Jay, and sister Lynda Goddard and husband Jerry, as well ashis many nephews, nieces, cousins, and friends.A memorial service will be held at the England Family Mortuary in Temecula,California on Wednesday, January 12, 2011 at 11:00 am with a reception to follow.Flowers can be sent to the Mortuary or donations can be made in Jim Stroot’s honorto the American Cancer Society. Services: 11:00AM at England Family Mortuary on Wednesday, January 12th, 2011 (map/driving directions)