James W. Stoudt, Esq.

James W. Stoudt, a retired Reading attorney and former president of the Berks County Bar Association, died Oct. 10 at 8:35 a.m. in the Highlands at Wyomissing Assisted Living Area, where he had resided since May 3.

Stoudt, 87, a resident at the Highlands at Wyomissing since Dec. 17, 1998, formerly of Farr Road, was predeceased by his wife, Miriam E. (Bell) Stoudt, in August 1975.

He was a partner in the law firm of Rhoda, Stoudt and Bradley, Reading, from 1939 until his retirement in 1994. He was later employed as a counsel by Kozloff Stoudt, Wyomissing.

Born in Reading, he was a son of the late James M. and Katie (McCallister) Stoudt.

Stoudt was a past secretary and vice president as well as president of the county bar association.

He was a past chairman of the House of Delegates of the Pennsylvania Bar Association. A member of the House of Delegates since its inception, he served on various committees of the state association.

Stoudt was a life member of the American Judicature Society, the International Association of Insurance Counsel, the Commercial Law League of America and the American Bar Association. He was a life fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers.

Stoudt was a past president and director of the Endlich Law Club, Reading.

He was a 1932 graduate of Reading High School and a 1936 graduate of Amherst College with high honors in economics. Stoudt was a 1939 graduate of the University of Michigan Law School with a juris doctorate degree.

Stoudt was a past president of the United Way of Berks County, the Berks County Chamber of Commerce and the Reading Rotary Club.

He was a past president and director of the Children's Aid Society of Berks County. He was a past president and trustee of the Eagles Mere Association, Sullivan County, and chairman of the lake committee.

Stoudt was a member of the Memorial Church of the Holy Cross United Methodist, Reading, where he was a trustee and president of the trustee board.

Surviving are a son, Geoffrey M., Wyomissing, and a daughter, Melinda S. (Stoudt) Mast, Sarasota, Fla.

Other survivors include five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home Inc., West Reading, is in charge of arrangements.