James F. Mountain - Spicer-Mullikin Funeral Homes & Crematory

James F. Mountain

Born July 9, 1939

James F. Mountain, age 77 of Wilmington, Delaware passed away on Wednesday, January 4, 2017 from Lewy Body Dementia.

He was born in Altoona, PA on July 9, 1939, and was the son of the late Rodney and Marion (Cox) Mountain of Bellwood, PA.

Jim earned his Bachelors in Education from Shippensburg University, and his Masters in Education from the University of Delaware.

He began his teaching career at Henrik J. Krebs School in Newport, Delaware before transferring to A.I. duPont High School where he taught English for 31 years. Jim’s love of literature resulted in Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet being his favorite subject to teach. He coached football, cross country, track and field, and traveled around the world with the A.I. duPont marching band from the Vatican to the Rose Bowl. Jim was a loyal fan and advocate of his student’s plays, concerts and sporting events. He retired in 2001 stating It only took him 56 years to graduate from high school.

Jim was known for his mellow presence, stubbornness, off the wall sense of humor and quick wit. He was an observer of life, who created his own path, disregarding any ˜do not enter’ signs along the way. Jim took pleasure in the simple things, such as walking his dogs, reading, sports, poetry, summer road trips to Maine with his family, regaling his kids with fantastical stories, fishing with son Joe on the Brandywine, Creamery runs with Liz and Dave, ketchup on eggs, riding his bike, attending grandson Ryan’s games, Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, classic rock, playing cards with the group, visiting old friends and family in Bellwood, PA. and swimming laps at the U of D with Ed and the rest of the pool posse. He was an ice cream enthusiast, who was particularly fond of turtle sundaes and milkshakes, and would never say no to a ˜sumptuous repast’. Jim was a lifelong fan of Penn State and Pitt football, long walks, fall leaves, and was an expert at the afternoon nap.

He is survived by his wife Lucinda J. (Sharer) Mountain; son Joseph, his wife Tera and their son Ryan; daughter Elizabeth, and her husband David Reagen; daughter Cindy and her husband, Matt Caporuscio and their children Jamie(Roger)Alvelais and their son Matteo, Lyndsey and Jenna(Clay)Sholly.

Jim left this world with quiet strength and dignity and will be sorely missed by his family, friends and his furry best buddies, Molly and Apollo. Services and burial will be private.

If you wish, in Jim’s memory, donations may be made to Delaware Hospice, 16 Polly Drummond Center, 2nd Floor, Newark, DE 19711 or to the Delaware Humane Association, 701 A Street, Wilmington, DE 19801.

Good night, good night! Parting is such sweet sorrow, that I shall say good night till it be morrow. – Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet.

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24 Condolences for James F. Mountain

  • I am a former student of Mr. Mountain’s at A.I. Dupont (class of ’73). Please accept my sympathies for the the loss of a man who I remember as calm, caring, and accepting of all of his students.

  • I remember Mr Mountain well, I had him his first year at Krebs Jr. High. A great teacher.
    He always ran a great class room. My sympathies to his family.

    Jeff

  • I was a student of Mr. Mountains at A.I duPont. He was a wonderful teacher. He made learning fun with his wit and humor. My sympathies to his family and friends. Peace.

  • Quiet man..he really cared the students he will be missed
    Rob

  • Mr. Mountain was my 9th Grade English teacher at A.I. I appreciated his passion for literature; you could see that he really enjoyed good books and talking about them. My condolences to his family.

    Dan S.

  • Thank you for your kind words, I will pass them on to my family.

  • Thank you Jeff, I will pass your words along to my family.

  • Lucinda, I don’t know if you’re from the Sharers in the Bellwood area or not, but I grew up in the next block from Jim, and was three years older. I remember his parents, and used to go out and sit on the porch at their house and enjoy talking to his Mom. I was known as Lowie Test, then.

    I just want to send you condolences and say how sorry I am for times like this that cause suffering and grief. My prayer is that you have loving people around you who will stay close to you as you travel over this road.

  • So many memories….i will miss you. Love, Lucille

  • Sorry to read about Mr. Mountan passing…He was a great teacher, and liked by all…prayers to his family….Rip Mr Mountain….✝✝✝✝

  • Thank you for the kind words. I will pass them on to my family.

  • Years have passed since I was a student (who didn’t read the book) in Mr. Mountain’s english class, but hearing the news of his passing was enough to transport me right back into the first seat in the last row in his classroom. He was a favorite teacher and a favorite mentor. I am forever grateful for his brilliant but gentle teachings on literature and grammar and most of all, life. May you be comforted by the number of students that he impacted during his career, and may we – the students – carry you through this time with our prayers.

  • Missed seeing Jim as we both walked our dogs thru the neighborhood – would sometimes be privy to his quick wit. May your memories provide comfort – so sorry for your loss.

  • With deepest sympathy.

  • I was a student of Mr. Mountain’s at A.I duPont High School–class of 1980. I was also a member of the cross country team for four years and Mr. Mountain was a terrific coach. I along with many of my colleagues who attended Mr. Mountain’s English class and who were also members of the cross country team found him to be fair, kind and generous with his time. He inspired us to do our best by leading with an insightful, perceptive, patient and understanding attitude. He was a truly unforgettable teacher/coach. Mr. Mountain made learning relevant and meaningful and in part is responsible for me becoming a teacher myself. I have taught students with special needs for over 30 years and I am currently making the transition into supervising new teachers at the University level… My prayers and thoughts go out to Mr. Mountain’s family.

  • Thank you, and sympathies to you as well…

  • Thank you so much John. Your words are greatly appreciated. My father would be humbled and grateful for your remembrance. Thank you!

  • I had the good fortune to have James Mountain as my ninth grade English teacher and as a track coach at H. J. Krebs in 1967. He was a wonderful teacher and a role model. He showed jr. high boys daily what it is like to be a real man. Mr Mountain was well loved by students and the 1967 yearbook was dedicated to him. It is hard to believe it has been exactly 50 years ago I was in his class and soon to start track season. I know he will be missed by all who knew him, especially family and his friends, but I hope those who were closest to him throughout the years will know he will live on in all his students hearts and minds!!!

  • I had the good fortune to have James Mountain in 1967 as my English teacher and track coach at H. J. Krebs Junior High School. Mr. Mountain was a special teacher and was well loved by students. The 1967 yearbook was dedicated to Mr. Mountain. He was a role model to junior high boys and daily demonstrated to us how to be a real man. It is so hard to believe it has been exactly 50 years since I was in his English class and would be soon starting track season. He will be missed by all that knew him, especially his family and close friends, but I hope they know he will live on though the lives he touched while he was teaching. He blessed so many and will forever be in our hearts and minds.

  • So sorry to hear about this loss. I really enjoyed his English class. He was so encouraging and help me like reading literature and composition. His soft spoken and gentle ways will be missed.

  • So sorry to hear this. My condolences Cindy, Joe, Elizabeth and families. Fond memories of visiting the Mountain’s and the Rainey’s. Enjoyed many a high school sporting event with Dad and Jim.

  • Thank you….
    Yes, I am the oldest of the Sharers. Am thinking your Mother was the school nurse??

  • Mr Mountain was one of my favorite HS teachers. He was my Freshman and Senior year English teacher as well as my homeroom teacher for all 4 years. I loved going into his room, he was always witty and had such a great sense of sarcastic humor. He made books like the Canterbury Tales and Macbeth come alive and even to this day I remember reading many literary greats with him! Even years after I graduated I would still go back and visit him. RIP, Mr. Mountain, the impact you had will last for generations. I also became a teacher. Thank you for the inspiration!

  • My condolences. Just found this notice today 12/20/17. We were cousins and lived across the street in Bellwood for 3 years until our family moved to Panama, Canal Zone. My Dad Keith Mountain was a career Navy Officer. We traveled a lot. I did contact Jim 2 Year’s ago and had a great chat with him. Again, sorry to hear the news of his passing.
    Jane Mountain Tamburro
    Ocala, FL