1949
James
2015
James Steinhilper
October 1, 1949 — March 6, 2015
James "Jim" Dale Steinhilper, age 65, was surrounded by his loved ones when he passed away on March 6, 2015 in Memphis, Tennessee.
A celebration of life memorial will be held on March 10, 2015 at 1:00 pm at Coulter Road Baptist Church in Amarillo, Texas. Stepson, Eric Hunter, will be officiating.
Local arrangements are by Schooler Funeral Home 4100 S. Georgia St.
Jim was born on October 1, 1949 in Elmira, New York to Glenn and Marion Steinhilper. After graduating Newark High School in 1967, he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Syracuse University in 1971. In 1977, Jim graduated from West Texas University with a Master of Business Administration. His professional career in finance commenced in 1977 as a Rate Analyst for Southwestern Public Service, an operating electric utility subsidiary of New Century Energies. After a succession of several promotions, Jim acted as the treasurer for New Century Energies and all of its subsidiaries in 1997.
In his personal life, Jim cherished the occasions spent with his three beloved children: Marissa, James, and Elizabeth. He spent the last 22 years of his life with his best friend, travel companion, and adoring wife, Rebecca "Becky" Hunter. His merriest moments were often spent in the company of his favorite sidekick, “Punkin,” his pet name for his granddaughter, Alanna or in presence of his "babies,” Lucy and Cota, the two standard poodles he shared with Becky.
A lover of fine scotch, wine, and food, Jim treasured the moments spent in his kitchen and around the dining room table. Whether he was skillfully preparing dinner or enjoying a nice meal and a bottle of wine with family and friends, it was apparent he felt complete joy. Participating in a meal cooked by Jim or his son, James, was an experience not to be soon forgotten. Friends quipped of the culinary excellence of those meals, often citing that Jim and Becky's house was the best restaurant in town. His infamous ‘brown bread,’ only cooked at Thanksgiving, was a commodity all the family would savor and anticipate year round. When he wasn't in the kitchen, Jim was exploring new restaurants and, due to his all-encompassing appreciation of food, he was frequently across-the-board in his cuisine selections; he could equally enjoy a hot dog at lunch and foie gras au torchon during dinner. No matter if the restaurant was a five-star establishment or a BBQ Shack in Memphis, he would expertly evaluate the food and, more often not, deliver an adept food critique at some point in the meal.
Jim was an extensive world traveler and delighted in sightseeing; his most recent international excursion occurred in the fall of 2014 when he and his wife traveled to Santorini, Greece to celebrate their fifteenth wedding anniversary. When the opportunity presented itself, Jim also relished a spirited game of golf and could hold his own on the golf course. He was an avid reader, highly educated on a multitude of topics, and consequently, a lively conversationalist that could keep anyone on their toes in an intellectual debate. His unconditional love for his family, thoughtful disposition, gifted presence in the kitchen, and unsurpassed knowledge will be deeply missed.
Jim is survived by: his wife, Becky Hunter; his daughter, Marissa Steinhilper; his son, James Steinhilper; his daughter, Elizabeth Steinhilper; his granddaughters, Alanna Velasquez and Jayleigh Steinhilper; his stepson, Eric Hunter, wife Jamie and their three children – Callie, Hannah, and Creed; and his stepson, Brian Hunter and fiancée Jennifer; his sister-in-law, Kathy Henry and family; and a host of other relatives and friends. He is preceded in death by his mother, Marion Steinhilper; his father, Glenn Steinhilper; his stepmother, Genevieve Steinhilper; and his brother, Richard Steinhilper.
A celebration of life memorial will be held on March 10, 2015 at 1:00 pm at Coulter Road Baptist Church in Amarillo, Texas. Stepson, Eric Hunter, will be officiating.
Local arrangements are by Schooler Funeral Home 4100 S. Georgia St.
Jim was born on October 1, 1949 in Elmira, New York to Glenn and Marion Steinhilper. After graduating Newark High School in 1967, he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Syracuse University in 1971. In 1977, Jim graduated from West Texas University with a Master of Business Administration. His professional career in finance commenced in 1977 as a Rate Analyst for Southwestern Public Service, an operating electric utility subsidiary of New Century Energies. After a succession of several promotions, Jim acted as the treasurer for New Century Energies and all of its subsidiaries in 1997.
In his personal life, Jim cherished the occasions spent with his three beloved children: Marissa, James, and Elizabeth. He spent the last 22 years of his life with his best friend, travel companion, and adoring wife, Rebecca "Becky" Hunter. His merriest moments were often spent in the company of his favorite sidekick, “Punkin,” his pet name for his granddaughter, Alanna or in presence of his "babies,” Lucy and Cota, the two standard poodles he shared with Becky.
A lover of fine scotch, wine, and food, Jim treasured the moments spent in his kitchen and around the dining room table. Whether he was skillfully preparing dinner or enjoying a nice meal and a bottle of wine with family and friends, it was apparent he felt complete joy. Participating in a meal cooked by Jim or his son, James, was an experience not to be soon forgotten. Friends quipped of the culinary excellence of those meals, often citing that Jim and Becky's house was the best restaurant in town. His infamous ‘brown bread,’ only cooked at Thanksgiving, was a commodity all the family would savor and anticipate year round. When he wasn't in the kitchen, Jim was exploring new restaurants and, due to his all-encompassing appreciation of food, he was frequently across-the-board in his cuisine selections; he could equally enjoy a hot dog at lunch and foie gras au torchon during dinner. No matter if the restaurant was a five-star establishment or a BBQ Shack in Memphis, he would expertly evaluate the food and, more often not, deliver an adept food critique at some point in the meal.
Jim was an extensive world traveler and delighted in sightseeing; his most recent international excursion occurred in the fall of 2014 when he and his wife traveled to Santorini, Greece to celebrate their fifteenth wedding anniversary. When the opportunity presented itself, Jim also relished a spirited game of golf and could hold his own on the golf course. He was an avid reader, highly educated on a multitude of topics, and consequently, a lively conversationalist that could keep anyone on their toes in an intellectual debate. His unconditional love for his family, thoughtful disposition, gifted presence in the kitchen, and unsurpassed knowledge will be deeply missed.
Jim is survived by: his wife, Becky Hunter; his daughter, Marissa Steinhilper; his son, James Steinhilper; his daughter, Elizabeth Steinhilper; his granddaughters, Alanna Velasquez and Jayleigh Steinhilper; his stepson, Eric Hunter, wife Jamie and their three children – Callie, Hannah, and Creed; and his stepson, Brian Hunter and fiancée Jennifer; his sister-in-law, Kathy Henry and family; and a host of other relatives and friends. He is preceded in death by his mother, Marion Steinhilper; his father, Glenn Steinhilper; his stepmother, Genevieve Steinhilper; and his brother, Richard Steinhilper.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of James Steinhilper, please visit our flower store.