James Frederick Pouchot II (75), a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, brother and friend passed away much too soon on Tuesday, December 26, 2023, after a vigorous fight following complications from surgery for bladder cancer.
Jim is survived by his wife of almost 50 years, Pam Pouchot, who was always there, at his side, throughout their marriage, but even more so over the past 18 months as Jim went through countless medical treatments. He is also survived by his daughters Kristin McManus (Patrick Sr.) of Yorktown, VA and Heather Neary of Okinawa, Japan; sister Charlene Graef (Jim G. Jr.); nieces Jennifer Duffy and Candice Graef; sisters-in-law Anne Martin and Mary Ann Elliott and brothers-in-law Bob Cummings, Walter Zoebl, and Jimmy Moglia; grandchildren Chelsea Simonzi, Noah-Ashley Simonzi, Tyler Mosley, Nicole Neary, Nicholas Neary, Patrick S. McManus Jr., Amanda Byrd, Ryan McManus and Hunter McManus; and great-grandchildren Caden, Jaedon, Steven Jr, Lyric, Raegan, and Vincent.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents James Frederick Pouchot I and Charlotte J. Pouchot, and his cherished grandmother Celeste Mastney.
“Jim,” as he was affectionately known, was born on March 2, 1948 in Chicago, Illinois and later moved to Whippany, New Jersey where he graduated from Hanover Park High School in 1966, and played drums in the marching band. Following high school, Jim attended Lincoln Junior College in Illinois, and later became a 1971 graduate of Milton College, in Milton, Wisconsin where he earned a B.A. in Business Administration. He was a brother of the Sigma Pi fraternity, in addition to playing football.
Following graduation, Jim found himself in the Newport News area of Virginia, seeking employment. Ultimately, he was hired by Teledyne Hastings-Raydist in September 1971, where he began a career as an Instrument Sales Engineer, and retired in 1994 as the Manager for Domestic and International sales.
In August 1994, Jim founded The Sales Advantage Group, LLP where he was a representative and distributor for scientific industrial products and fully retired in August 2013 as the President and owner of TSAG Mid-Atlantic, Inc. Jim was a highly successful businessman and entrepreneur who held his client’s interests close to his heart.
Jim enjoyed traveling with his wife, and family, on day trips and week-long excursions, to places within the United States and abroad, creating a lifetime of amazing, and often hilarious, memories. He and Pam would take a day trip to Pennsylvania, just to eat at their favorite smorgasbord or drive to North Carolina to attend a festival.
Jim thoroughly enjoyed cheering on the Washington Redskins (Commanders) as a season ticket holder for several years at RFK Stadium, to yelling at the television from home, in hopes they would hear him, while in the company of fellow Redskins fans, and even with friends cheering for the opposing teams. Jim also loved playing a round of golf with close friends and family.
Janis Joplin’s music could make Jim smile and singalong, as well as other “oldies” music selections. He was a huge fan of the television show The Big Bang Theory, watching reruns comfortably on the couch. Bazinga! He greatly appreciated Lionel trains and watching marching bands perform. He craved pizza and could not pass up a sweet treat. Jim loved cooking on his Weber grill and in his later years, enjoyed a good glass of Pinotage wine while grilling a good burger, barbecue chicken or steak. He immensely loved all his grandkids and making funny faces and voices for them, while they laughed together.
Jim never met a stranger as he befriended people everywhere his path lead him. He made lifelong memories with people in his career paths to his post-retirement passion, being a docent at the Virginia Air & Space Science Center in Hampton, Virginia, where he accrued 4,311 hours of volunteer time. Jim was an energetic, dedicated docent, sharing his love for everything air and space with children and adults of all ages. Jim could brighten a room with his contagious smile, as he shared fascinating stories about space travel with such enthusiasm.
Jim is at peace and free of any pain. He has received his wings. We will always love you and hold you in our hearts.
A celebration of life will be held at the Virginia Air and Space Science Center, located at 600 Settlers Landing Road, in Hampton, Virginia on Tuesday, January 16, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. Free parking is available at the Settlers Landing Parking Garage at 555 Settlers Landing Road, Hampton.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Virginia Air and Space Science Center (a 501(3) non-profit organization) so they may continue educating and inspiring explorers of all ages, through educational programs and exhibits (https://sales.vasc.org/donation.aspx).
Donations can also be made to the Virginia Peninsula Foodbank, (a 501(3) non-profit organization), so they may continue to distribute food and minimize hunger in our local area, https://hrfoodbank.org .
Arrangements are by Berceuse Funeral and Cremation Traditions in Hampton, 757-825-8070.
