April 7, 1952 – January 9, 2024
James “Jim” Stepanic, a former resident of Canton, Ohio, and Latrobe, Pennsylvania, died on January 9, 2024, in Naples, Florida, at the age of 71 due to complications from dementia. An avid metallurgist, gardener, golfer, bowler, tinkerer, and personal investor, Jim was the son of Helen and Stanley Stepanic and a graduate of Latrobe High School, Carnegie Mellon University, and The University of Akron.
Jim was retired from TimkenSteel, having previously worked as a floor and project manager for The Timken Company, where he co-invented a high-speed steel product. He was married to Marla Stepanic for 24 years and raised his two sons, Daniel and Brian, in Canton, Ohio, before moving to sunny Naples, Florida, to live, at first, part time and then full time. He kept busy in his later years by writing and independently publishing a book, making award-winning wine, and working part time at The TwinEagles Golf Club in the community where he also resided, gardened, swam, golfed, and played table tennis. There, Jim was neighbor and friend to many, including wild turkeys and deer, as Jim always loved animals.
He is survived by his two sons, Brian and Daniel; his brother Stanley W. Stepanic and his wife Darlene; sister Luanne Pierce and her husband Martin; and his nephews and nieces Stanley, Steven, Jennifer, and Emily.
Tara
January 25, 2024, 5:12 am
In loving memory of James, whom I had the honor of knowing for the past few years. Our Saturday afternoon ping pong matches, where he resided and I worked, became cherished moments. I shared my desire to improve, and he kindly offered his help. Those games are memories I will always cherish.
Miss you, James.
Daniel Stepanic
January 25, 2024, 5:13 am
Hi, Dad,
Losing you this week to a cruel tangle w/dementia made me realize you don’t have to make mountains out of men to be brought to your knees at the blunt, universal nature of life’s humanity rescinded.
And while it’s true we shared few of the same life motivators or guiding lights, I hold much gratitude—
For the foundation you laid beneath our feet; the steady narration.
For the example you set, not always in action but often its inverse.
That may sound like a low-key diss but you know there was nothing you liked more than watching our heed your advice. (Even if it was in what *not* to do, you’d take the win).
The picture is more recent, but I can’t quite shake how you were younger than I am today in this video. Diagnosed in 2020, you seemed to panic & try to make up for lost time, “let’s go to Peru! You can bring mom!”
A reminder as great as any to live life now.
So goodbye, Dad. Thanks for the roof, the ride, and for my brother Brian. For loving us in your own way, and not turning away when I came out. For welling with pride to your colleagues about the two boys you “raised right.”
I hope wherever you are there’s a McDonald’s that serves soft serve twist & your half bottles of fridge beer don’t go flat between sips.
Send me the address & I’ll keep forwarding along my hand-me-down tennis shoes. ✨
LCD.
Frank Cernava
January 25, 2024, 5:13 am
Condolences to Jim’s family. I worked with Jim many years at both Harrison and Faircrest. I always enjoyed Jim’s company at work and on a couple business trips. He was a very talented individual.
Frank Cernava
Jeff Yackley
January 25, 2024, 5:13 am
Thanks for sharing the media – I worked with Jim at Timken/TimkenSteel – and later we were golfing buddies. Just to let you know, there are over 30 messages of condolences on the Timken/TimkenSteel Facebook group. Your dad was very intelligent (as you know), and was always trying to ‘put the pieces together’ – whether it was steel mill data or how to fix his slice! He also had a dry wit that I appreciated. I’m sorry for your loss. He was much too young.