James Kevin Strobel

July 28, 1949 – April 10, 2026

James Kevin “Jim” Strobel, a dedicated caregiver and lifelong lover of the American West, passed away on April 10, 2026, in Tucson, Arizona, at the age of 76.

Born on July 28, 1949, in Louisville, Kentucky, to Betty and Charlie Strobel, Jim carried the spirit of the Bluegrass State with him even as his heart turned toward the desert. After serving in the Navy following high school, Jim embarked on a legendary journey west in the early 1970s alongside his brother Dennis and close friends Steve and Wes. Though he returned to Kentucky to earn his nursing degree from Western Kentucky University, his heart remained in the desert. Upon completing his studies, he returned permanently to Tucson, where he would build a meaningful life and career.

Jim’s professional life was marked by over 30 years of courage and skill in ER and Trauma nursing. He served as a flight medic and a dedicated medic for El Tour de Tucson, remaining a steady presence for those in need throughout his career. In 1989, Jim received University Medical Center's prestigious Esther N. Capin Values Award, an annual honor given to only five of 2,500 employees who embody the institution's values and provide exceptional service.

Outside of the hospital, Jim was a man of simple pleasures who knew exactly what he liked. He was a dedicated fan of Jeopardy, westerns, and mystery novels, as well as an avid cyclist who famously enjoyed hiking under the blazing Arizona sun. In his retirement years, Jim took to the golf course, spending his later years perfecting his game — or at least having a good time trying. With a deep love of music, Jim spent many warm evenings under the desert stars singing off-key to the songs of John Prine, Emmylou Harris, Iris DeMent, and other Americana greats. A proud Kentuckian to the end, Jim never lost the drawl that made women swoon with a well-placed 'Darlin’,' nor did he ever grow tired of telling 'bad' jokes that were a great source of pride.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Betty and Charlie Strobel; his siblings, Terry, Dennis, and Nancy Strobel; his lifelong partner, Julie Pryor; and many dear friends over the years.

His memory lives on through his daughter, Tamara Strobel (Bill Snape); his step-daughter, Krista Kellner (Matt Kellner); and his dear friend and former wife, Sally Hammond. He is also survived by his three beloved grandchildren, James Moore, Ava Kellner, and Mae Kellner; his siblings Laura Ryan, Billy Strobel, and Chuck Strobel; and a large, loving circle of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Services will be held in Tucson, Arizona, and Louisville, Kentucky, at a later date.

In honor of Jim’s deep respect for the arid landscape he called home, the family requests that in lieu of flowers, desert dwellers reconsider the necessity of private pools, or that loved ones donate to the Coalition for Sonoran Desert Protection.