James Irwin Stoddard, Junior at the age of 40, lost his battle with lung cancer at the home of his sister, Rachel Alvidrez, in Albuquerque, NM on May 21, 2014.
James was born on September 19, 1973, to James I. Stoddard and Sandra C. Stoddard. He grew up in Gallup, NM, and as a young teenager he earned his Eagle Scout and continued in scouting where he received 2 palms. James had continued to be involved in scouting. He then graduated from Gallup High School in 1992. The following year, he served a 2 year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, and learned to love the Russian language.
In the fall of 2001, James joined the Navy. He spent time in Bahrain as an electronics technician, second class. While in the service he was decorated, then honorably discharged in 2007.
Education was always important to James. Despite being diagnosed with lung cancer during finals week, he graduated from the University of New Mexico with a bachelor degree in both Mathematics and Russian in December 2013.
James is survived by his parents, his five siblings: Rebekah Brooks, Rachel Alvidrez, Mary Hatch, Elizabeth (Liz) Kirkland, John Stoddard, and their spouses; as well as 5 nephews and 4 nieces.
Memorial services will be held on Wednesday, June 11th, 2014 at 6 pm at the LDS Chapel 895 West 4800 South, Taylorsville, UT, 84123
Interment will be at Utah Veterans Cemetery and Memorial Park located in Bluffdale, UT.
The family asks in lieu of flowers; for donations to help with final expenses would be much appreciated:
https://www.youcaring.com/memorial-fundraiser/funeral-expenses-for-us-veteran-stoddard/182030.
