James E. Troutman

James Troutman, “Jim” to everyone, was born on July 20, 1934.  He passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 9, 2022, in the loving care of the Hospice of Dayton, with Debbie and Zach by his side.  He was 87 years old.

Jim is survived by his son Jeff (Elka), and Jeff’s sons Joshua and Jake, and his daughter Debbie and her son Zach and daughter Bella.  He also leaves behind his sisters Bonnie, Sue, Ethel, Terry, and Sharon (Bob), and brothers Willard (Grace) and Larry (Connie), and many nieces and nephews as well as relatives on Nancy’s side in Japan.

Jim follows his wife Nancy Hiroko Troutman, his parents Lee and Nancy, and his sister Debbie.

There are few who were as proud to serve in the military as Jim.  He joined the Air Force when he was 17 years old because his mother wouldn’t sign the papers that would have allowed him to join the Marines.  He ended up serving for over 27 years, and would have never retired if he’d have been allowed to stay.  He proudly wore his Air Force baseball cap constantly.

The Air Force was his ticket to see the world, and he saw a lot of it.  His most fruitful station was Tokyo where he met his future wife, Hiroko, who eventually adopted the American name “Nancy” in Jim’s mother’s honor.  No one knew them as Jim and Hiroko – it was always Jim and Nancy.  There were many nights that ended in the wee hours of the morning sitting around the kitchen table playing pinochle with friends, and there was a constant flow of kids running in and out of the house.

Jim was a simple man.  Meat and potatoes, coffee (lots of it), and an occasional Budweiser were his staples.  In years past, his bible and stacks of western novels sat by his bedside, and Country Western music records were his favorites.  Old-school Country  –  Johnny Cash, Hank Williams, Loretta Lynn.  (It would have been “Taylor who?” had you asked!)  When in civilian clothes, he favored blue jeans (ironed – yes, ironed – by Nancy), cowboy boots, and a leather belt with a silver belt buckle that he had fixed a silver dollar to.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Hospice of Dayton would be appreciated by the family.  The staff and caretakers there are angels in their own right, and helped make Jim’s transition to meet Nancy with the peace and dignity that he deserved.

Donations can be sent to: The Hospice of Dayton, 324 Wilmington Ave., Dayton, OH 45420.