Jim passed away on Monday, May 20, 2024, at age 77 from complications of pancreatic cancer at Hospice & Community Care, Mount Joy, surrounded by his family. He was the son of J. Richard and Eleanor L. (Gerhard) Stauffer. He was preceded in death by his father and his youngest brother, Thomas. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Shirley (Crouse) Stauffer, his daughter Jocelyn Stauffer, his son Jonathan Stauffer (Angela), and his grandson Frankie. He is also survived by his mother, by his brother Richard (Adele), and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

Jim grew up in Ephrata where he earned his Eagle Scout award and graduated from Ephrata High School. He went on to earn a BS in Accounting from the University of Delaware. Right after starting his career, he was drafted and spent a tour of duty with the US Army in South Korea. After returning to Ephrata and getting married, he toiled in the tax departments of accounting firms in Philadelphia, Harrisburg, and Lancaster. Ultimately, he was hired by his largest client, The Farfield Company – a major electrical and mechanical construction company, which was closely held by a group of dedicated, like-minded young men. Jim quickly established Farfield's right to claim a multitude of sales and use tax exemptions when performing their typical construction projects for entities exempt from tax, by filing numerous successful refund claims and assessment appeals. After six years, Jim hung out his own shingle, limiting his CPA practice to sales and use tax matters. He continued to serve The Farfield Company as well as to assist a wide variety of other construction contractors, ranging from Philadelphia to Zelienople, PA. He retired in 2015 after selling his sales/use tax practice to a regional accounting firm. Then he and Shirley promptly moved to Woodcrest Villa retirement village, where they became charter members of the "Rowdy Romarin Rebels."

He was the former president of the Hempfield Ambulance Association, a member of the Hempfield United Methodist Church, and an avid collector of vintage and antique mechanical pencils and fountain pens. His hobbies included motorcycling and boating.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in the name of James R. Stauffer to Hospice & Community Care or mail to 685 Good Drive, Lancaster, PA 17601. Services for Jim will be held privately and at the convenience of the family.