James Henry Engelhardt

USN Commander James H. Engelhardt, age 87, of Sarasota, Florida died in his sleep Thursday June 2nd 2022. He was born in Buffalo, New York to the late Henry and Mabel Engelhardt (Tucker.) He was a resident of Sarasota for 37 years. Jim graduated University of Buffalo, Buffalo, New York with a degree in Journalism. He joined the Navy in 1956 and retired in 1983. He loved the Navy and had many exciting adventures in the So. Pacific, Panama, Korea, Japan, So. America and more. He was Inspector General of South America, ran the logistics of the Panama Canal, and spent many years at sea in positions of command. Jim had four children from a previous marriage, James, Julie, Jon and Jeffrey, then adopted a So. Korean child at the age of six. In 1981 he married his soul mate, Estrella and was married forty wonderful years to her.

Jim and Estrella departed Panama to Sarasota where Jim worked for Sarasota County in the Fleet Maintenance division, transferred to St. Petersburg, Fl. and then became Assistant County Administrator for Manatee County. He also was in charge of a Federal Bldg. in Atlanta, Georgia and returned to Sarasota to become a probation officer for three years. After his final hurrah working as a grant specialist, Jim retired and devoted his time to his family. Jim was a quiet man, tall, a little dark and handsome and very well loved. His sense of humor was legendary. Jim's favorite place in Sarasota was Nellie's Deli where he made many friends and loved to go five or six times a week for breakfast or lunch. If there is a word to describe Jim it is KIND. To his wife, Estrella - he supported her in all her passions, whether it was acting, dancing or doing transformational workshops. He was her biggest fan. He loved to work with wood and made many beautiful pieces that are admired by all who see his work. He loved to cook and wrote his own cookbook. Jim also wrote extensively about the history of the Vietnam War where he served five separate tours. He is survived by his wife Estrella and his children, James, Julie, Jon, Jeffrey, Lisa and Estrella's two children, Naomi and Marc, who loved him like a father, and his sister Elaine and her family that he loved dearly. We ache at the loss of this wonderful man and will miss him dearly.

REST IN PEACE DEAREST JIM. HEAVEN WAITS!