Dr. James W. Sucharski, 71 of Hillsboro, died surrounded in love by his family on Monday, Jan. 1, 2018, in St. Louis County. He was born Dec. 6, 1946, in Ironton.
He was married to his wife Renee for 46 years. He was a member of Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Hillsboro. Jim was a staff sergeant in the United States Marine Corps from 1965 to 1971, serving two tours in Vietnam and receiving numerous combat awards.
He poured his life into his family and community.
Jim was a retired school administrator, holding a PhD from Southern Illinois University Carbondale. He educated and guided districts in Missouri for more than 36 years. In his tenure he served Perry County District 32 as a special education and social studies teacher and later administrator; Bismarck R-5 as superintendent; Hillsboro R-3 as superintendent; Bayless Consolidated as superintendent; and Missouri School for the Blind as superintendent. He was most proud of the achievements of his students and staff during his tenure with these districts.
He enjoyed seeing others succeed. His role in education was not a job but a passion. He took great pride in teaching future educators as an adjunct professor at Southeast Missouri State, Webster University, Missouri Baptist University and University of Missouri St. Louis. He had a profound impact on educators in the St. Louis region.
To recognize his devoted and exemplary contributions to education, he was honored with the prestigious Missouri Pioneer in Education Award by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education in 2011.
Jim was actively involved in the Jefferson County community, having served on numerous civic groups and nonprofit organizations’ boards of directors.
He was a founding member of the Hillsboro Chamber of Commerce, founder and chair of the Hillsboro Chamber of Commerce Christmas Dinner, which served the community for 25 years. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus, Hillsboro Rotary, Hillsboro Lions, Special Olympics of Missouri and Greater St. Louis Boys Scouts. He served with the Jefferson County Community Partnership, Jefferson County Family YMCA, Governor’s Council for the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and many professional and civic affiliations over 46 years in Perry, St. Francois and Jefferson counties.
He received countless awards over the years in recognition for his service to his community, country and education. This includes a lifetime achievement award from the Hillsboro Chamber of Commerce and most recently, he was named the Mineral Area College Distinguished Alumni award for 2018, for which he will be honored in May.
In retirement, his favorite role was being a grandfather and spending time with his family. He enjoyed watching his sons coach and grandchildren play sports and enjoy their hobbies. He enjoyed sitting with friends and family sharing stories, reading, visiting historic sites, and adding to his expansive baseball card collection.
Jim, who was an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan, leaves a legacy of love of family and friends, service to others, and advocacy for children and public education. His family will remember him as a compassionate, selfless, loving man of character and virtue.
He is survived by his wife: Renee A. (Manson) Sucharski of Hillsboro; two sons: Brian (Teresa) Sucharski of Hillsboro and William A. (Sara) Sucharski of Hillsboro; five grandchildren: Chase, Grant James, Ryke, Ryli and Emma; five sisters: Mary Dodd of Farmington, Linda (Paul) Lashley of Caledonia, Sue Roney of Farmington, Betty (Steve) Brown of Jackson and Dorothy (Amanda) Sucharski of Port Orchard, Wash.; two brothers: Allan (Wanda) Sucharski of Farmington and David (Aida) Sucharski of Texas; and a sister-in-law: Kimi Sucharski of Indian Mound, Tenn. He was a loving uncle, cousin and friend to many.
He was preceded in death by his parents: Stephen Leo and Elsie Louise (Goggin) Sucharski; three brothers: Stephen, Stanley and Patrick Sucharski; two brothers-in-law: Robert Dodd and Mike Roney.
Visitation is from 4-8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 5, at Robert D. Brown Funeral Home, 103 Fourth St., in Hillsboro. Funeral Mass will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 6, at Good Shepherd Catholic Church. 703 Third St., Hillsboro.
Memorials may be made to Pony Bird at ponybird.info/donate/ or to the Hillsboro R-3 Foundation at hillsborofoundation.org with Sucharski Scholarship noted in the memo line.