James Stricker

James R. Stricker, 94 of Cape Girardeau passed away Wednesday, May 31, 2023, at Chateau Girardeau in Cape Girardeau.

He was born April 18, 1929, to Raymond Carl and Norma Blackburn Stricker in Cincinnati. Jim was married to the love of his life, Betty, and she preceded him in death.

Jim graduated from Ohio State University in 1952, and this is where he met his wife, Elizabeth "Betty."

He served in the U.S. Army after graduation. Upon honorable discharge, he worked as a hospital pharmacist in Columbus, Ohio. Afterward, Jim went on to get his master of business administration in hospital administration from the University of Chicago. He went to work as an assistant administrator in several locations and then came to Southeast Hospital in 1968 to work as the administrator.

Jim and Betty traveled to Nepal as missionaries for the United Mission to Nepal, where Jim helped to build and supply what is the now the largest hospital in Nepal. They later moved to California, where he went to work as an administrator for a church-based, long-term care facility.

Upon retirement, he and Betty transitioned to life in a travel trailer and spent 14 years traveling, both the U.S. and abroad, while wintering in Arizona. After living in Boise, Idaho, they moved back to Cape Girardeau in 2013 and settled in the Chateau Girardeau.

Survivors include his children, David (Kim) Stricker, Nancy (Keith) Huckstep and Jane Stricker; grandchildren, Eric Stricker, Hilary Hill, Sarah Beggs, Brian Huckstep, Spencer Scudder, Solomon Koester and Rowan Harvey; and several great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 3 to 4 p.m. Sunday, June 4, at Crain Funeral Home in Cape Girardeau.

Funeral will be at 4 p.m. Sunday, June 4, at the funeral home, with Adelaide Parsons officiating. Inurnment will be held at a later date at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests with gratitude that memorials be made to Samaritan's Purse, P.O. Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607 or www.samaritanspurse.org. Memorial contribution envelopes will be available at the funeral home.