James Harold Stiver, age 89, of Bradenton, passed away on May 13, 2023 after a hard-fought battle with lung cancer.
He was born on August 2, 1936, to Clifford and Gladys Stiver. He grew up in Santa Ana, CA, and then moved to Springfield, MO, with his family. In 1954 he moved to Wichita, KS, and worked on the B-52 bombers at Boeing Aircraft Company. Harold was a man of many endeavors which led him to transition into sales with Babson Bros., selling Surge dairy equipment. With this experience, he went on to open his own business Surge Dairy Supply in Lincoln, NE. Harold continued his career in sales until retirement in 2020.
Harold married his high school sweetheart, Beverly Voeltz in 1956. He had two children which he was very proud of, son Mark (deceased) Jody Stiver, daughter, Lou Anne (Marc) Gigstad. He had three grandchildren, Stacie, Rebekah (Ryan Cantrell) and Philip. He also had four great-grandchildren, Claire, Vincent, Savannah, and Tessa.
Harold enjoyed spending time with his family and traveling when time permitted. Some of his other favorite pass times were watching or going to Tampa Bay Ray baseball games, playing Pai Gow poker, the card game 500, his dog Lola and watching Nebraska Cornhusker football. He always loved being known to Claire and Vincent as their ""Great James.""
He is preceded in death by his parents, brother (Clarence) and son, (Mark). He is survived by wife, daughter, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and many friends.
A Celebration of Life will follow at a later date. Brown & Sons Funeral Homes & Crematory 43rd Street Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.
Condolences may be made to www.brownandsonsfuneral.com.
