James Stem

Dr. James Marion Stem, 86, Floral City, Fla., died Thursday, May 22, 2008, in Inverness, Fla.

He was born on June 8, 1921, in Chattanooga, Tenn., the son of the late Dr. Leon Thayer Stem and Edith Allison Stem. He was a graduate of Webb School Bell Buckle, Tenn., received his undergraduate degree from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, and earned his medical degree from the University of Tennessee Medical School in Memphis, Tenn. He completed his internship at Nashville General Hospital and his residency with the University of Oklahoma. Dr. Stem served as a naval medical officer during the final months of World War II, assigned to a destroyer in the Pacific. During the Korean War, he was called back into naval service and stationed in Alameda, Calif.

Dr. Stem opened his pediatric practice in Clearwater, Fla., in 1948, being the first practicing pediatrician in Clearwater. He served as Chief of Staff for Morton Plant Hospital in 1965 and 1966, was president of the Florida Pediatric Society in 1972. Closing his practice in Clearwater in 1979, he and his wife traveled to the United Arab Emirates, where he served as the Director of Pediatrics for Tawam Hospital in Al Ain, UAE. He set up the first neo-natal intensive care unit for that country. Returning to Florida, he accepted the position of Medical Director for Hernando County in Brooksville, Fla., and has lived in Floral City, Fla., since 1984.
He was an avid golfer, fisherman and traveled throughout the world, loved ones stated.

Survivors include his wife of 64 years, Aline Mitchell Stem; children, James Mitchell Stem, Tampa, Fla., Richard Barry Stem, Ocala, Fla., Michael Andrew Stem, Longwood, Fla., and Elizabeth Allison Wheaton, Jefferson; eight grandchildren; brothers, Dr. William Stem, Chattanooga, Tenn., and Thomas Richard Stem, Boca Grande, Fla.

Visitation will be held Tuesday, May 27, from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. at Moss Feaster. Funeral services will be held at St. Cecelia Catholic Church in Clearwater, Fla., Wednesday, May 28, at 10 a.m. Burial will be in Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the St. Jude Children’s Hospital.

Moss-Feaster Fort Harrison Chapel, Clearwater, Fla., is in charge of arrangements.