Jim Stege, Stegbone's owner/operator​​, passed away on September 16 after a brief illness.

To share your remembrances of Jim, please follow this link to his Memory Wall.

A Celebration of Life in honor of Jim will be held on Saturday, October 22 at 2pm at Stegbone's Fish Camp. All are welcome. For planning purposes,  please complete this brief response form if you are attending.

A few details about the Celebration:
  • ​Casual attire​
  • Parking will be limited so please carpool if possible
  • Main course provided; please bring a side dish, salad, or dessert to share
  • In case of inclement weather check this website for further information
  • For information about local accommodation options please call the Stegbone's office

Jim Stege (1950-2022)

James M. Stege (Jim) was born in Madison, Wisconsin on September 23, 1950, to Edward R. and Elinor (Cece) Neckerman Stege.  He was the third of four sons.  On September 16, 2022 Jim passed away of complications from Leukemia.  He was 71.​

Jim is survived by his girlfriend and loving partner Kim Dugger, his brother Scott (Biram) and Kurt (Kim), sister-in-law Elaine Murphy, nieces and nephews Melinda Arsouze, Tina Stege (Chris Leon), Mark Stege (Fern Lehman), Hope Stege (Warren Yates) and Hans Stege (Morgan Allen) and their families.  Among the special people in his life were Scott and Jane Wood, Paul and Chris McClure, Margi and Gus Rawi and his friends from Flad Architects.  He was preceded in death by his brother Rick Stege.  His family would like to thank the members of Jim's staff at Stegbone's for their dedicated service and love for the camp and for Jim.

Jim's towering physical presence made him easily recognized by all.  He made many good friends throughout the world as an architect, traveler, volunteer, mentor, partner, teammate, beer-drinker, fish camp owner/operator, historic preservationist, and supporter of good causes.  He was sentimental and generous with his time, knowledge and resources.  He gently earned your respect.  Jim's lifelong volunteer work and devotion to his friends and family are enduring.

Jim spent his early years in Madison, Wisconsin where he attended Lakewood School and Madison East High School.  He later graduated from Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Virginia.  After extensive travel including lengthy stays in Australia and Denmark, he attended the University of Florida in Gainesville where he received a Master of Architecture degree.

Jim spent the next four decades in Florida where he worked as an Architect, Project Manager and Principal-in-Charge for four architectural firms in the northeast part of the state.  In 1998, he took on the added responsibility of being the owner/operator of a vintage Florida fish camp on the St. John's River south of Palatka, which he renamed Stegbone's.  His years there were filled with new and renewed friendships; he cherished reconnecting with guests year after year.  He loved history, old Florida, and vintage buildings, both rehabilitated and unaltered.  Unpretentious and non-materialistic, Jim could be seen driving his unrestored, all-original 1967 International Harvester pick-up around Putnam County.  Recently, Jim enjoyed traveling in their RV with Kim and their dog, Griff.  Staying at numerous state parks, Jim loved the simple life and the great outdoors.

Jim shared his time and energy freely.  His lifelong love of historic buildings led him to become an involved board member of three historical societies (St. Augustine, Putnam County and Fruitland Peninsula Historical Societies) and founding member of the Welaka (Florida) Historic Preservation Committee.  Recently, he led efforts to restore the roof and steeple of Jethro Baptist Church in Crescent City, Florida.  He was also committed to the All Souls Unitarian Universalist congregation in Palatka.  For nearly 25 years he was an active member in Rotary Clubs wherever he resided (Crescent City, St. Augustine, Jacksonville, Gainesville) and truly lived by the Rotary motto: Service Above Self.  He particularly worked with youth, high school and college programs and provided architectural direction for restoration of an 1889 grocery in St. Augustine that serves as the St. Francis Housing Crisis Center.  He was a long-time board member in INK! (Investing in Kids) and most recently was a Board member of the Betty Griffin Center.

There will be a Celebration of Life in honor of Jim on Saturday, October 22 at 2:00 pm at Stegbone's Fish Camp (144 Norton's Fish Camp Road, Satsuma, Florida) with refreshments to follow.  For planning purposes, please complete this brief response form to indicate whether you will attend. Please assist the organizers by responding no later than October 12.  To share your remembrances of Jim, please use the  Johnson-Overturf Funeral Home Memory Wall.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to any of the following organizations, which Jim loved:  Fruitland Peninsula Historical Society (P.O. Box 763, Crescent City, Florida  32112), the Rotary Club of Crescent City, (RCCC Donations, P.O. Box 483, Crescent City, Florida  32112) or All Souls Unitarian Universalist Congregation (P.O. Box 2448, Palatka, Florida  32178).