Henry James Proctor, 83, of Oxford, PA passed away on January 30, 2025 at Chester County Hospital. He was the husband of the late Phyllis Dillow Proctor, who passed away in 2024.

Born in Philadelphia, PA, Jim was the son of the late Henry Hoopes and Mildred Dunn Proctor.

Jim was a graduate of West Chester Joint High School class of 1959. After graduation, he attended Penn State University where he earned a certificate in Agricultural Business. During his high school and college years, Jim worked at M.S. Yearsley & Sons, West Goshen Deli, and Acme Markets. After completing college, he worked for Hoober Equipment and continued his career with Acme Markets before he transitioned to being an independent owner/operator of a Pepperidge Farm franchise from 1969 until he retired in 2008. After retirement, Jim was a bus driver for Gross in Oxford, PA.

Jim was an avid collector of farm equipment and toys. No tractor was too big or too small for him to collect. His collection started with his first toy when he was 8 years old. He was a member of the IH Club, John Deere Waterloo Boys of Southeastern PA, Oliver Club, and Rough & Tumble Historical Association, and would often gift memberships to these clubs to younger collectors. His contributions to the toy collecting hobby was recognized through his 2017 induction into the Toy Farmer Hall of Fame in Dyersville, Iowa. Through his hobbies, he made lifelong friends around the world.

Throughout his life, Jim had many interests which included being a coach at Brandywine Youth Club, playing basketball with the local guys at their old elementary school, attending Penn State football games, flying, entertaining friends, and his many trips planned around his hobbies. To this day, his impact on the kids who he coached is evident in the memories they share. He was serious in his coaching of baseball, prepping the field, taking practice as serious as the game which many years resulted in a championship team. He was a season ticket holder of PSU football for many years and enjoyed taking friends to the games. He often entertained friends with a meal and then a show at the Valley Forge Music Fair. He was a member of the West Chester High School Alumni reunion committee and really enjoyed the annual reunion.

Surviving are his children Bob Proctor and wife Sue, of West Chester, Dana Simpson and husband Jeffrey, of West Grove; grandchildren Devon (John) and Bailey Proctor; Saunders, Matt (Kathy), Sara (Casey Farr) Moore, and Tyler Simpson (Victoria); great grandchildren Gavin and Arthur, Riley, Colton, Melanie, and Lindsay; sisters Jane (Frank Dulin) and Victoria (Ed Skladany); and brothers and sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, and cousins. Additionally, Jim is survived by friends too numerous to mention. When asked about his hobbies, he often said, “it’s always been about the people”, which is evident when you count his friends.

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, February 15, 2025 at 9:00 AM at the Red Clay Room, 423 Dalmatian Street, Kennett Square, PA 19348. Visitation will be from 9:00 – 11:30 AM, with a time of remembrance starting at 11:30, followed by lunch. For Jim, it was always about the people and the meal, and we hope to carry that on in his honor.

In lieu of flowers, please consider contributing in Jim’s memory to Tunnel to Towers Foundation, or a charity of your choice.