In Memoriam

James Stearns, 69;

Dairyman With Wide Interests

RICHFIELD SPRINGS – James J. Stearns, 69, of Hugick Road, a retired dairy farmer whose interests ranged widely to include Percherons, raising unusual chickens, growing roses and day lilies, and playing the organ, passed away on Thursday morning March 21, 2019, at Bassett Hospital.

James was born on Sept. 18, 1949 in Troy, a son of the late James J. and Jean Doney Stearns. He was raised in Averill Park and graduated from Averill Park High School. After high school he attended SUNY Cobleskill Ag & Tech, obtaining degrees in Animal Husbandry and Agricultural Machinery Repair.
On June 10, 1972, he married the former Rose Weir in Troy. He and his wife Rose owned and operated the Oh Never Done Dairy Farm in Central Square for 28 years, retiring in 1992. They moved to Richfield Springs in 2010.
Besides dairy farming, James had many interests. He had raised chickens, mostly Bantams and Old English, as well as Percheron draft horses . Having a green thumb he grew roses, irises and had over 1,600 day lilies.
He loved playing the organ and had done so for many churches. He also had an interest in trains, especially steam locomotives.
Surviving him are his wife Rose of 46 years, his sister Melanie Henderson and her husband Stewart of Excelsior, Minn., his three nieces Allison, Christina and Robyn all of Minnesota.
A funeral service for James will be private.
Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the J. Seaton McGrath Funeral Home.