James E. Stratton
April 3, 1931 ~ February 11, 2016
James E. Stratton, 84 of West Newton passed away during the morning hours on Thursday, February 11, 2016 at Franciscan St. Francis Health in Mooresville. He was born April 3, 1931 to the late Lilly (Woolridge) Stratton.
Jim proudly served his country during the Korean War after he was drafted in to the United States Marine Corps. A hard worker, he was employed as Millwright for Allison’s General Motors for over 30 years, retiring in 2002. After retirement Jim enjoyed working with hands, building anything, wood working and fishing. A loving father, grandfather, and great grandfather Jim will be missed by his family and friends.
Survivors include his daughter and loving care giver, Chasity A. (Sean) Johnston of West Newton; his son, Vance J. (Marsha) Stratton of Cassopolis, MI; two step-daughters, Amy N. (Sean) Watson of Indianapolis and Shelly K. Warren of Indianapolis; six grandchildren, Kelly, Timmy, Seann, Danielle, Cheyenne, Bobby, Zachary and Cassandra; and five great grandchildren.
Family and friends will gather for visitation from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 17 in the chapel at Carlisle-Branson Funeral Service & Crematory in Mooresville. A memorial service will be conducted at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday at the funeral home, where Jim will be honored for his service given to our country as a U.S. Marine. Please visit www.CarlisleBranson.com where you may sign the online guest registry and leave a personal message for the family.
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I am saddened to hear of Jim’s death. His mother Lily and my mother Mamie, were sisters. My mother came to Indianapolis as a young girl of 16 and stayed with aunt Lily until she met my father and married. I knew Jim only when I was a little girl of 4 or five years old. I knew his sisters, Tudy and Hazel later in life. As life moves along, we all seemed to lose touch with each other. My email is, medmazerd@msn.com. and my name is Mary Preston Duncan. My thoughts will be with your family during this time of grief.
Deanna Newkirk sent a virtual gift in memory of James E. Stratton
Jim liked to stop by our house & visit. He never had a harsh word to say about anyone. He loved the Indianapolis Colts and often called me to see what channel the game was coming on. He loved planting flowers and gardens. He loved sitting outside on his patio. He loved having visitors. He sent a red rose bush for me a year ago & Sean Johnston planted it in my wishing well flower garden . It will be a beautiful reminder of him every year when it blooms. You will be sadly missed Jim Stratton. R I P. <3
That was just amazingly beautiful. I miss you dad so bad . I love you so much
Chasity sent a virtual gift in memory of James E. Stratton
This is my grandpa. I never had my real father but this man was my father. He taught me how to ride a bike, how to fish, he fed me so many pointless stories but I can almost remember all of them. I know he is the reason I am how I am today. He never discouraged me and always had my back. He took care of me for about 12-13 years and the family got separated. He would never leave his room even to eat dinner.. I would sometimes take him his food and eat next to his he’d with him. I would always check up on him and make sure he was doing okay. He was really bad sick my whole life so just to know he lived to see 85 blows my mind and doesn’t make this as hard. He gave me so much and it seems like so little now that he’s gonna and I’ll never get that ‘awe you are so handsome Bobby’ or the ‘wow you are looking good’ speeches anymore.. You seriously played the biggest role in my life and this is going to be so long so I doubt anyone will read this but. He always wanted to take me out to breakfast and spend time with me, he would shoot basketball with me even though he had to stand in one spot and couldn’t move that much he was the best player I ever had on my team. I get random hints of his scent and it kills me. I miss you so much papal and I always talked about coming to see you at my aunts house where you moved too I just never seemed to have the time because so much has happened to me these last couple of years. You are seriously my role model and you are so appreciated. If heaven is a real place you better save me a seat on your lap because that was my favorite place to sit when you would tell me your stories from the 40’s and 50’s. I hope you are resting easy. I know you lived your full life. I miss you papal. It’s 1:30 am and I had to talk to you somehow.. So I chose this memory post. Thank you a million. You know my feelings for you and so does everyone else. Forever in my heart papal.
Sean sent a virtual gift in memory of James E. Stratton
Beautiful. I love you
That was amazing Jimbo I know your in a better place but I will always miss you and our talks I didn’t know you very long but I did cherish the time we did have together fly high my friend
My name is Vance Stratton and this man was MY Dad. Our relationship was cut into two separate phases- one he was a huge part of and one he chose not to be. What my Dad did with me as I was growing up and through my first 23-24 years was priceless. You could not ask for a better Dad. He was there for everything. He only missed one college football game and that was because he had to have his appendix removed. He loved fishing, camping, riding motorcycles, spending time with his family and spending time at our lot on Geist Reservoir. I will always love the man he was then and cherish the close relationship we had those many years ago. Today, it is only sad to me that I had to say my goodbyes to the man I described above years ago. I wish that he could have known his 2 grandchildren and his 3, soon to be 4 great grandchildren, but he chose a different direction. Because of the Dad he was to me in my early life, I hope the life he chose was full and happy. Dad, unfortunately the man you were before your passing, is unknown to me. Our few phone calls over the past few years were special. It’s just sad that nothing could ever come of them. I can sincerely thank you for molding me, making me a fighter for what I want and believe in, and making me some of the man I am today whether its from the time we were together, or the time you weren’t in my life. Rest in peace, Dad and thanks for the memories that nobody can ever take from me.
Vance Stratton sent a virtual gift in memory of James E. Stratton
In honor of your service to this country, Dad……..a service you share with your Grandson, Zachary who is actively serving in the United States Air Force.
Lora Davis(sister) sent a virtual gift in memory of James E. Stratton
Love this, You & Your’s Vance, so proud of youAunt Tootie (Lora)