Stirling, James "Dash", 1977, CDR USN (ret)

JAMES S. STIRLING, 1956 - 2024

James “Jim” Scott Stirling, CMDR USN RET passed away after a long battle with Parkinson’s Disease on September 23, 2024, at the age of 68, in Fairhope, Alabama. Born on January 18, 1956, in Donora, Pennsylvania, Jim dedicated 20 years as an officer in the United States Navy and called Southern Maryland home for over 30 years. Upon retiring from the Navy, Jim continued to have a distinguished civilian career initially serving as the Director of Public Works for St. Mary’s County, and subsequently held the position of Director of Procurement for the University of Maryland until his retirement in 2014.

Jim was a graduate of Pennsylvania State University where he received both his Masters and Bachelor’s Degrees in Civil Engineering. While at Penn State, he was a proud member of Sigma Tau Gamma fraternity and in Navy ROTC. He remained a loyal Penn State football fan throughout his life. Known for his quick wit and sense of humor, Jim was a hardworking and kind individual who deeply valued his relationships with family and friends. He enjoyed coin collecting, working on various projects around their home, reminiscing about his navy days on the USS Forrest Sherman, and of course, cheering for his beloved Penn State Nittany Lions. He was a member of Holy Face Catholic Church in Great Mills, Maryland, where he actively participated in the community supporting Little Flower School where his wife retired as the principal.

Jim leaves behind a loving family, including his wife, Barbara Drelick Stirling; his son, Mark Stirling (Jamie) of Columbia, Maryland; his daughter, Laura Stirling Port (John) of Daphne, Alabama; and his grandchildren, Ian, Noah, Nora, and baby Caroline. He is also survived by his brothers, Andrew Stirling (Jackie) of Mechanicsville, Maryland, Allen Stirling (Linda) of Chesapeake Beach, Maryland, Richard Drelick (Susan) of Oil City, Pennsylvania, Alfred Schutt of Edgemont, South Dakota, Mark Drelick (Kathy) of Oil City, Pennsylvania, and Donna Drelick of Melbourne Beach, Florida. Jim was preceded in death by his parents, James and Ruth Stirling and Martha Frame Stirling, and his in-laws, Frank and Eileen Drelick and sister, Patty Drelick Schutt.