James H. Suckow

James H. Suckow, 84, of Naples, passed away suddenly at home on April 25, 2026.

He is survived by his wife, Jan; his daughter, Kelly; and his two grandchildren, Avery and Justin of Atlanta. Also, his brother, Paul Suckow, and his wife, Phyllis, are part-time residents of Naples, and their son, Morgan, and his husband, Mark, are residents of New York City.

Born on March 10, 1942, in Chicago, Illinois, to Mae S. Suckow and Herbert W. Suckow, the family moved to the suburb of Elmhurst when Jim was in grade school. He graduated from York High School in 1960 and went on to the University of Missouri, where he met his wife, Jan. They married shortly after graduation in 1964.

Having been in Navy ROTC, he reported directly to flight school in Pensacola, Florida, for training. Jim flew many missions in Vietnam, and at the end of his naval career, was qualified in seven different aircraft at the same time. The planes ranged from the four-engined turboprop C-130 transports to the A-4 fighter jets.

After leaving the Navy, he joined Delta Air Lines and retired in 2001. While at Delta, he was elected Chairman of the Delta Pilots’ Master Executive Council, as part of the Air Lines Pilots Association, leading 7,000 men and women.

Living with his wife and daughter in Naples since 1976, he helped coach the Naples Braves, an award-winning young women’s all-star softball team where his daughter played. The team competed in the softball World Series in Kalamazoo, Michigan. He also volunteered to sit on our city’s firefighter pension board, assisting with asset growth and stabilization after the 2008 financial crisis had decimated the fund.

A proud resident of Naples for 50 years, he always remarked how fortunate he felt to have enjoyed this beautiful town as his home.