James Joseph Sakolosky

Published 10:09 am Saturday, April 18, 2020

Jim Sakolosky, 79, died April 13, 2020 surrounded by his family.  He regularly recruited his children and their spouses to march in clean energy rallies, build gardens and plant trees. His grandchildren loved driving the tractor with Gramps, harvesting his garden and tallying fish caught during their visits.

Jim was born and raised in Chicago. He earned his BSEE from Bradley University and MS in systems engineering from Stanford University. After Stanford, Jim worked on the Apollo space program at Bellcomm, Inc., in Washington, D.C. There he met Dixie Nash, whom he married in 1971. As the Apollo program ended, Jim studied law, earning his JD from Georgetown University. After law school, Jim nurtured his abiding commitment to environmental quality through his work at the US Environmental Protection Agency. In 1983 Jim and family moved to Lynchburg, Va. For twenty six years, Jim practiced law as a partner in the firm Davidson & Sakolosky. In 2011 the couple moved to Elizabeth City to enjoy their retirement.

Jim is survived by his wife of fourty eight years, Dixie Nash Sakolosky; children John Thomas Sakolosky (Erin) of Goffstown, NH, Anna Ownby (Steven) of Houston, Texas and Kate Brandspigel (Jake) of Norfolk, Va.; grandchildren Oliver and Wilder Jane Sakolosky, Paige and Neil Ownby, and Eliza and Mack Brandspigel; sister Diane Weber of Oak Lawn, Ill.; and twin brother Jack Sakolosky of Houston, Texas.

The family will hold a celebration of Jim’s life at a future date. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to Green $aves Green, PO Box 1737, Elizabeth City NC 27906; Arts of the Albemarle, artsaoa.org; or a charity of your choice. Twiford Funeral Home, Elizabeth City, is serving the Sakolosky family. Online memorial condolences may be sent to the family at www.TwifordFH.com.

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