James David Stankosky

It is with great sadness that the family of James David Stankosky announces his passing on Monday, June 5, 2023 in Arlington, Texas.

James/Jim/Jimmy/Jimbo was born August 7, 1958 in Austin, Texas to Nancy (Moses) Stankosky and Peter Nicholas Stankosky, Jr. The family moved to Arlington, Texas in 1968 when Jim was 10 years old. Jim had a bright and happy childhood. His mechanical aptitude and attention to detail were amazing. He worked for hours on model kits, reading, and learning everything. He knew how to take anything apart and put it back together. As a member of the Boy Scouts of America, Longhorn Council Troop 225, Jim participated in a trek to Philmont Scout Ranch and became an Eagle Scout, the highest rank attainable in the organization. He graduated from Arlington High School and attended the University of Texas at Arlington where he studied Computer Science Engineering through his junior year.

When Jim was in high school, he developed the first signs of the bipolar and anxiety disorder conditions that would alter the course of his life. During those years and after, Jim’s condition presented numerous challenges that would have decimated someone of lesser spirit. Getting that diagnosis was difficult. Mental health was not openly discussed, and treatment options were limited when Jim was growing up. With the diagnosis came a variety of medications and treatment options. However, Jim did not like the way they made him feel as he constantly felt as though he was never himself. With this, he took it upon himself to explore different methods of self-medication. For the last years of Jim’s life, he found a psychiatrist with whom he felt comfortable. He was taking his prescribed medications and was more stable.

Jim’s heart was huge, his brain, on fire. He amazed everyone with his instinctive creativity, bottomless (and annoying!) knowledge, and his natural generosity. Jim touched the lives of everyone he knew with his quick wit and sense of humor. He had a huge heart and brought friends home when they needed a place to stay.

Perhaps his happiest moments were spent at our grandfather’s house on Lake Buchanan outside of Burnet, Texas, creating memories with family that now bring us joy and comfort. Jim’s mental health challenges robbed him of opportunities so many of us take as birthrights. But he never allowed them to alter the essence of who he was. For his entire life, Jim remained incredibly warm, generous, open-hearted, exceedingly bright, clever, funny, and engaging. Jim was a truly unique individual, as anyone who ever met him will freely admit. Remember him in his happiest moments. He will be deeply missed.

Jim was preceded in death by his mother Nancy (Moses) Stankosky and father Peter Stankosky. He is survived by his sister Laura Stankosky and husband Charlie Howell; cousins Michele Schrader and husband Brian Schrader, Michael Stankosky and wife Janice Stankosky as well as many additional cousins and longtime friends, including Ashlea.

Mental health is one of the most important things that people take for granted. The United States does not have adequate systems in place to support those with mental health issues. In lieu of flowers, Jim’s family encourages those wanting to honor his memory to please consider a donation to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). You can donate now by clicking here.