James H. Sterrett

James H. Sterrett, Jr., a distinguished historian, brilliant scholar, and dedicated family genealogist, passed away peacefully on July 19, 2024. Born on August 27, 1943, in DuBois and raised near Brockway, he was the beloved only child of J. Howard Sterrett and Gertrude Dennison Sterrett. James graduated from Brockway Area High School in 1961 and received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Grove City College in 1965.

James continued his education at Kent State University, where he was on a teaching fellowship. After two years as a graduate assistant in the Department of History, he received his M.A. and later his Ph.D. His dissertation, "A History of Beechwoods, A Farming and Mining Community in Western Pennsylvania," reflects his deep commitment to uncovering and preserving local history. A copy of this dissertation is available at the Mengle Memorial Library for reference purposes. He also co-authored the book "Jefferson County Pennsylvania, An Illustrated History," further contributing to the understanding and appreciation of the region's past.

He served as a history professor at Grove City College for a few years and then later at Geneva College where he worked for 26 years until his retirement, and became a Professor Emeritus. After his retirement he continued to teach in various programs at Geneva College and Penn State Dubois.
His love for books was unparalleled, and he was often found immersed in reading. His scholarly pursuits extended beyond personal interests, as he became a revered lecturer on the settlement of communities in Jefferson County and Western Pennsylvania.

James had a special love for travel, especially to Ireland, where he visited with friends and family year after year. He often invited friends and family to travel with him. These trips were a cherished part of his life, filled with rich experiences and deep connections, and a time to further explore genealogy history. He had dual citizenship in the United States and Ireland. 
James's contributions to genealogy and historical publications earned him a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Jefferson County Historical Society. His work not only enriched the community but also provided invaluable insights into the lives and stories of those who came before us.

He was a lifelong member of the Brockway Presbyterian Church. He served as an elder at the church, a driver for the Presbyterian pantry and was a teacher at the Breakfast Sunday School class. In addition to his church activities, he was a dedicated Mengle Memorial Library Board Member and served on the Brockway Area Historical Society Board. James was deeply involved in his community.
He is survived by many close family members and dear friends within the Brockway community and beyond including his good friend Pam Pollit.  His living family members are the Sterrett family, the Dennison family, the Pringle family, the Conlin family, the Porter family, the Bond family and the Schiller family.

James Sterrett's legacy will live on through the countless individuals he inspired, the rich historical narratives and extensive local family research he conducted and helped preserve. The family intends to preserve his voluminous local family research and make it available to future historians and genealogists. He will be dearly missed by all who knew him.

Visitation will be on Tuesday, July 23 from 5 PM to 8 PM at the Shugarts Funeral Home Inc. in Brockway. A Funeral Service will be held on Wednesday July 24 at 11:00 AM at the Presbyterian Church also in Brockway, with Rev. James Dietrich officiating. Burial and prayers of committal will follow in the Beechwoods Cemetery. 

 In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Brockway Presbyterian Church, Brockway Volunteer Hose Company, the Mengle Memorial Library, or the Brockway Area Historical Society. Online condolences may be left at csfhinc.com

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