James Winsor Stough was born June 9, 1932 in Rethy, Congo to Paul and Susan Rachel (Winsor) Stough. He passed into the safe arms of Jesus on December 22, 2022, at the age of 90.

As the middle son of a Wheaton- based missionary family, Jim spent his childhood years in the Congo. Losing his beloved mother to illness when he was eleven years old was a devastation he would feel for the remainder of this life. The remarkable experiences of his youth prepared him for a lifetime of service and adventure. At the end of World War 2 in 1945, the family, including new step mother, Betty (nie Quakenbush), was able to return to the United States after traveling though Egypt to acquire safe ocean passage.

After spending one year attending Wheaton Community High School, Jim went on to graduate from Hampden DuBose Academy in Zellwood, Florida in 1950. It was during these years that he met his future bride, Joan Bartel, who had grown up on the mission field in China. Returning to Illinois, Jim graduated from Wheaton College in 1954. Deeply cherished, lifelong friends were made during his high school and college years. Jim and his two brothers put themselves through Wheaton by running a barber shop in a basement near the campus.  Jim's barber skills would be put to use for generations to come. While a student at the University of Illinois (Chicago) Medical School, Jim and Joan were married at College Church on August 19, 1955. Daughter, Jan, joined the family in 1958 with son, Winsor, following close after in 1959. Daughter, Jill, came along later, in 1973.

After the completion of Jim's medical internship, the young family responded to the need following the civil wars in Congo and spent 1962-64 serving on a jungle mission station where Jim was the only doctor for hundreds of miles. The experiences of these years were deeply impactful for the family.

Upon their return from Africa, the family moved to Oak Park for Jim's OB/GYN residency.  In 1967 the family settled in the western Chicago suburbs where Jim established his busy OB/GYN practice. Over the course of his long career he delivered approximately 7,000 babies, practicing at both Delnor Hospital (St. Charles) and Central DuPage Hospital (Winfield). Not only dedicated to providing quality medical care to women and newborns stateside, Jim practiced medicine on four continents including North and South America, Africa and Asia. He found deep joy and meaning in caring for his patients and considered many of them, and their families, to be friends. He was delighted by those who were present at his ninetieth birthday party this past June. He loved newborns—whether the ones he delivered or the ones in his family. He was a true baby whisperer for his grandchildren and great grandchildren.

In addition to medical missions work in Congo (where he was fortunate to return a number of times), Ecuador and Taiwan, Jim was also a dedicated volunteer with Care Net, now named The Caring Network of DuPage. As adult children of missionaries, he and Joan found deep joy in serving on the board of the Missionary Furlough Homes Association for 39 years. Together they enjoyed welcoming international students into their home and hosting missionaries from around the world. The Sunday dinner table would often be filled with Wheaton college students.

As a world traveler who explored six continents; an avid outdoorsman who loved golfing, hiking, fishing and astronomy; an artist of paint, charcoal and woodworking; and a musician who loved singing in the College Church choir, Jim lived life with a sparkle in his eye. Through his involvement with Christian Medical and Dental Association, the family was introduced to the Colorado mountains. Jim and Joan built a cabin there which for over fifty years has served as the hub of connection and refreshment for extended family and friends. His favorite place in all the world was behind the wheel of his 1964 Willis Jeep exploring hair raising alpine trails with his family or teaching his grandchildren how to cast a line in a high mountain lake. His keen eye for beauty in God's creation and his tender heart for others will long be remembered. Over his life Jim learned to embrace the grace of Christ and extended that love to those around him, even during his last, physically painful years. His family will long hold to his frequent reminder to "keep your walk with Jesus sweet and tender."

Jim is survived by his loving wife of 67 years, Joan; their children: Jan Potter, of Lebanon, IN; Winsor (Jeanne) Stough of Eagle, CO; and Jill (Patrick) Hall of Norton, KS; grandchildren: Hilary, Colin (Kenzie), and Caroline Potter; Rebeckah, Kevin (Samantha), Annika Stough; Connor and Catherine Hall; and 3 great grandchildren. Also surviving are brothers Bill (Ruth) Stough, Phil (Carla) Stough and an abundance of cherished extended family.

A Memorial service for Jim will be held on Saturday, January 7 at 2:00pm at College Church in Wheaton. The family will greet guests after the service. Interment will be private. A livestream of the service will be available here.

Memorial gifts may be directed to the Caring Network.