James Franklin Stickley, Sr.

James Franklin Stickley, Sr. 84 of Front Royal, VA passed away Sunday, March 31, 2019 at Winchester Medical Center.

A graveside Service for Mr. Stickley will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, April 4, 2019 at Riverview Cemetery with Pastor Randy DeSantis officiating.

James Franklin Stickley, Sr. (Jim) was born August 16, 1934 at Winchester Memorial Hospital. He was the son of the late James Angus and Josephine Agnes Stickley of Strasburg, Virginia and a brother to his younger sister, Josephine E. Stickley of Woodstock, Virginia. Jim graduated from Strasburg High School in 1952 and attended Virginia Polytechnic Institute. During his working career, he became a Class A Air Conditioning and Heating Engineer, a Master Electrician and a Registered Locksmith.

Jim made his home in Falls Church, Virginia with his wife, the former Margaret Mae Midkiff, also of Strasburg, and their three sons. His sons were the joy of his life. He was blessed with James Franklin, Jr. (and wife Cheryl) of Fairfax, Virginia, David Louis (and wife Rhonda) of Seattle, Washington and Michael Scott (and wife Robin) of Warren County, Virginia. He was grandfather to Anne Elisabeth Stickley, John Louis Stickley, Kaitlyn Hope Stickley, Hannah Faith Stickley and Michael Andrew Stickley. He was the step-grandfather to Monica Beaubien and Sasha Beaubien LaDuke and great-grandfather to Kinsley Grace and Everly Rose LaDuke of Seattle, Washington. Jim was also closely connected to Gustavo and Carina Avalos Sosa and their children Emanuel, Matthew and Joshua of Front Royal, Virginia.

Jim was a member of several churches throughout his life. He was baptized at Strasburg Christian Church and as an adult, served there as a deacon and Sunday school teacher. After moving to the Northern Virginia area, he became a member of Cherrydale Baptist Church in Arlington, Virginia, serving on the church board. In later years, he became a member of McLean Bible Church serving in a variety of roles including trustee of the church. He was also a member and trustee of Evangelical Free Church in Annandale, Virginia. Upon retirement, the Stickleys moved to Front Royal and became members of the Front Royal Bible Church where Jim also served as a deacon and Sunday school teacher. He was a member of Marlow Heights Baptist Church in Front Royal where he led Senior Bible Studies. His remaining church life was spent as a member and deacon of Skyline Baptist Church. Jim’s life was spent serving the Lord and helping others by proclaiming his faith.

Professionally, Jim was the building engineer for 43 years at the American Association for the Advancement Science in Washington, D.C. He was also an engineer for the Miller Companies and Heritage Medical Center in Washington, D.C. and for the Buchanan House in Crystal City, Virginia. With his wife and a colleague, Jim founded and was president of Systems Electric, Inc., an electrical contracting company. Since his retirement, Jim has been a member of the Isaac Walton League of Warren County, where he served as Chaplin for several years.

Jim was considered an expert in the field of electricity and taught the National Electrical Code in the Adult Education program in Fairfax County and for the Virginia Electrical Contractors Association as a member of VECA. He participated in the revision of the Master Electrician Exam for Virginia and served as the president of the National Association of Power Engineers, Chapter 1, Washington, D.C.

Jim was active in the Boy Scouts of America, first as a Scout and as an adult, an Assistant Scoutmaster and Scoutmaster. He served as a board member for the MaWaVa Camp Cherith, a Christian program for youth of all ages. He was a member of the U.S. Chess Federation and an active member of the Arlington chess club. He delighted in teaching chess to all age groups and continued to do so throughout his life.