DOVER, N.H. – James “Jim” E. Lothrop, 82, of Dover died peacefully Wednesday, Jan. 30, at the Hyder Family Hospice House after a long illness with his family by his side.

He was born in Concord, N.H., on Nov. 13, 1925, the son of Harold L. and Marjorie (Davis) Lothrop. He grew up and attended schools in Dover and graduated from Governor Dummer Academy in 1944.

He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1944, and served his country for 30 months in the Pacific during World War II. He actively served until 1946, and served as a reserve until 1951. He was named honorary squadron commander of the 100th OMS at Pease AFB.

After his military service, he attended Amherst College, where he received a bachelor degree in psychology in 1950. He was member of Psi Phi fraternity. After his education, he purchased his family business in Dover, N.H., The J.E. Lothrop Furniture Co. He owned and operated it until it was sold in 1970.

He later went to work for the state of New Hampshire Department of Safety. He worked as a hearing officer until his retirement in the early 1990s. He continued working parttime for several years as a licensed bonded private investigator.

He is survived by his wife, Delores (Watkins) of Dover, whom he married on July 18, 1968; his two sons, Hal Lothrop and his wife, Gretchen and their children, Justin, Kelly and Brian, all of Dover and Michael Lothrop of Dover; his two daughters, Leigh Lothrop of Florida, and Kristen Dostie and her husband, Guy and their children, Caleb, Jean-Luc, Maria and Ahna, all of Lewiston; his brother, Scott D. Lothrop and his wife, Doris, of North Carolina.