James Stier

Dr. James Paul Stier, 74, passed away on August 13, 2022, in American Fork, UT.

James was born March 24, 1948 in Rochester, MN to Ralph Francis Stier and Margaret Austfjord.

James met Valentina Smith as teenagers and the two married on July 15, 1967 in Las Vegas, NV. The two were later sealed in the Los Angeles Temple on February 20, 1982 with their 5 children.

James was very athletic and enjoyed many activities that took him outside. Among these activities were golf, dirt bike riding, and running marathons. He was also skilled with his hands and applied those talents to car repair, wood working, and serving those around him. He owned his own automotive repair shop, Viking Automotive in Palm Springs, CA, before selling the business to his younger brother. He worked in public education as an automotive teacher, then was promoted to a school administrator, then ended his career as working as a Director of Curriculum and Instruction. He obtained his Doctorate in Education in Organizational Leadership from La Verne University. James served in many callings in the church, among those were his service as bishop in Hesperia First Ward and serving a Pathways Service mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. James most importantly loved his family and spending time with them.

James is survived by his loving wife, Valentina Stier; their children Chris Stier, Ben (Jessica) Stier, Thorey (Brian) Bauer, Katie (Skippy) Andersen, Trena (Aaron) Schulze; 16 grandchildren; siblings Michael (Pattie) Stier, Christopher (Amy) Stier, Nick (Susan) Stier, and Jani Stier.

James is preceded in death by his parents, Ralph Francis Stier and Margaret Stier; a sister JoAnne Stier Romero.