Surrounded by his loving family, Judge James Allen Stacey Sr. died early Sunday morning, Sept. 5, 2010, in Stein Hospice Care Center following a brief illness.

He was born Dec. 26, 1925, in Norwalk, son of the late Glenna (Cleveland) and James Calvin Stacey. On Aug. 21, 1948, he married Marlyn Mae Frederick (now deceased) of Sandusky.

Jim joined the U.S. Navy after graduating from Sandusky High School in 1943. He studied engineering at Bucknell University, Ohio Wesleyan University and the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill before entering Cleveland Marshall Law School in 1947. He passed the Ohio Bar in 1952, worked in the U.S. District Court in 1955, and was a partner of McGory & Stacey, Sandusky, from 1954-56. From 1956-60 he was an associate with the law firm of Steinemann and Zieher, Sandusky, and was then a partner of Work, Stacey and Moyer from 1960-67 before being appointed Sandusky Municipal Court Judge in 1967. His first election for the office was in 1971, the only time he encountered opposition. He was re-elected to the six-year term in '77, '83, and '89. After 28 years on the bench, he retired at the age of 70 in 1995, working part-time as a visiting judge until 2005.

Judge Stacey was a member of the Ohio State Traffic Law Commission 1969-95; chairman 1978-82; member of the Sandusky Jaycees, 1952-62; Erie-Ottawa Mental Health Board, 1975-81; and the Board of Directors of Campfire Girls, 1956-60. In 1974, Judge Stacey initiated the creation of the Sentence Alternative Voluntary Education Service -- SAVES -- to help rehabilitate persons charged with drinking and driving. He was also a member of L.E.A.D.S. 1984-86; Sandusky Chamber of Commerce, 1984-86; a lifetime member of the Ohio State Bar Association, Ohio Municipal Judges Association, Executive Board 1970-80; American Judicature Society; American Judges Association; Erie County Bar Association; and a lifetime member of AMVETS. During college Jim was a member of Beta Theta Pi Fraternity. He was also a member of the Sandusky Exchange Club, Board of Directors 1999-2005; a lifetime member of the Car Coddlers of America; American Legion; Elks; Eagles Club; and the Sandusky Presbyterian Church where, as young adults, he and Marlyn advised the youth group and taught Sunday school. Judge Stacey was consistently included in the Who's Who in America.

Judge and Mrs. Stacey enjoyed spending time with their children, traveling, building and furnishing dollhouses, reading, and were avid animal lovers.

A beloved husband, father and granddad, Jim will be sadly missed by his children, James A. (Tonya) Stacey Jr. of Sandusky, Libbie (Terry) Romigh of Beloit, Ohio, Lorrie (Thomas) Singler of Sandusky, David F. (Wendy) Stacey of Milan, Cam Allison (Patrick) Shenigo of Sandusky and Tricia (William) Rosekelly of Sandusky. He is survived by his grandchildren, Amanda L. Stacey, James A. Stacey III, Adam J. Romigh, Taylor A. Romigh, Drew M. (Amber) Romigh, Griffin D. Romigh, Carrie S. (Michael) McGlothlin, Angela E. Singler, Thomas J. Singler, Nicholas A. Stacey, Jessica L. Stacey, Emily L. Stacey, Julianne D. Shenigo, Carly A. Shenigo, Benjamin H. Shenigo, Madison E. Shenigo, Paul R. Berger, III, Alyssa M. Berger, Morgan L. Berger; stepgrandchildren, Heidi L. Rosekelly, Jeff W. (Maureen) Rosekelly, John A. (Karen) Rosekelly and Abby M. (Chris) Schwanger; and great-grandchildren, Morgan S. McGlothlin, Madison R. McGlothlin, Isabella R. Vaillant, Alexandra R. Vaillant, Ethan M. Kokoska, and Mara R. Romigh and stepgreat-grandchildren, William D. Rosekelly, Sophia R. Schwanger and Benjamin L. Rosekelly.

Jim was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 60 years, Marlyn Frederick Stacey, on June 3, 2009; his parents; his sisters, Elizabeth Wikel Rey and Thelma Stacey Poris; and his brother, Robert Wikel.

Jim will be remembered as a man of integrity, honesty, fairness, and wit. As Dad he will be remembered as wise, loving, steadfast and attentive. As an adored Granddaddy, he will be remembered as being patient, fun, lovable and generous.

Friends will be received 3-7 p.m. Tuesday at Groff Funeral Home, 1607 E. Perkins Ave., Sandusky.

In honor of the compassionate and loving care shown to Jim and his family during his final days, the family requests that memorial contributions may be made in his name to Stein Hospice Services, 1200 Sycamore Line, Sandusky, OH 44870.

Condolences may be shared at grofffuneralhomes.com.