James R. Scholter

​​James (Birdman) Scholter, 82, of Gulf Breeze, Florida passed away on February 1, 2019.

James was born in Butler, PA. September 2, 1936, he was preceded in death by his parents, Kenneth W. Scholter and Marion A. Scholter.  

Birdman was a salesman for many years, from 1989 until retirement. He sold to military commissaries located at bases in several states around his home in Gulf Breeze.  The “Bird” was educated at Penn High School in Nixon, PA. and he graduated in 1959 from the University of Pittsburgh with a B.B.A. degree. He also earned a Private Pilots License during this period. He served in the U.S. Navy aboard the U.S.S. Forrestal from 1959 to 1961. This began his world travels, ending in visits to 33 countries on 4 continents. Birdman in his youth (Butler, PA.), was a very competitive left handed pitcher for the Mars VFW in the Eagle County League and was proud of his sixth man status on the Belmont Basketball Team, champions for the 1956 Y.M.C.A. league. He was a member M.E.N.S.A. and utilized his trivia knowledge and logic for the benefit and delight of his many friends. Able to identify most of the Steelers by number and position, he was a dedicated fan.
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Birdman is survived by his brother, John Scholter (Betty Jo) of Marietta, GA. He had numerous friends in the Gulf Breeze area and will be sorely missed by the patrons of the Sandshaker Lounge on Pensacola Beach, where a celebration of his life will be held at 2:00pm on Sunday, February 17, 2019.