Loss of well-known Savannah man, Jamie Stroh, sends shockwaves through community

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - Disbelief and heartbreak are being felt by the Savannah community after the loss of a well-known Veteran and advocate in the community, Jamie Stroh.

Stroh passed away this week after Savannah Police responded to his home for a welfare check.

“On July 23, 2025, at around 9:32am, Eastside officers responded to a welfare check in the 1200 block of E. 40th Street. Upon arrival officers made entry to the home and discovered Jamie Stroh, who was deceased,” according to SPD.

The Coroner responded to the scene, and an autopsy is pending.

His death was announced on social media via the page Jamie founded, Savannah River Ships and Tugs.

“With heavy hearts, we share the heartbreaking news that Jamie Stroh, the creator and driving force behind the Savannah River Ships and Tugs Facebook page, has unexpectedly passed away.

Jamie was more than just the founder of this page — he was its soul. His passion for the river, the ships, the tugs, and most of all, this community, was unmatched. He poured his heart into every post, every photo, every comment. What he built here wasn’t just a page- it was a gathering place, a family, a tribute to a working waterfront and the people who keep it alive.

His sudden passing leaves an ache that words can’t touch. Those of us who were lucky enough to know Jamie, even just through this page, know how much he cared. Please keep his family in your thoughts and prayers as they navigate this unimaginable loss.

As fellow admins, we are committed to keeping this page going — not only for all of you, but for Jamie. We know how much it meant to him. It won’t be the same without him — nothing could be — but we’ll do our best to honor his legacy.

Fair winds and following seas, Jamie. You touched more lives than you’ll ever know. You will be deeply missed, but never forgotten."

The post of Jamie’s passing has over 2,000 reactions and nearly 500 comments. All paying tribute to the different ways Jamie impacted their lives, and the Savannah community as a whole.

Jamie Stroh was a very good man who cared deeply about those around him and the Savannah, Georgia waterfront as well as the ships and tugs,, and crews that served the city of Savannah. I have just learned of Jamie’s passing, and I know that Jamie will be forever missed. I had the pleasure of considering Jamie a friend.

Friend of Jamie, Samuel Stokes

We worked together in Navy Reserve recruiting in Great Lakes for several years.. and stayed in touch for all these years.. I was so delighted when he created this page .. learned a lot ..

But he was such a nice person to know .. kind of a prankster at times.. fun to be around .. I will miss him and his posting a lot .. oh, this is just so, so sad..

RIP my friend... 

Friend of Jamie, Christine Jensen

Jamie had a presence that filled any room he was in. My wife and I will never forget meeting him—he was the first local we connected with after moving to Savannah. Funny enough, we were sitting next to each other at a bar on Bay Street when we realized we’d actually been working together on vessel movements for weeks. That moment really captured who Jamie was—genuine, warm, and deeply woven into the maritime community. His loss is a heavy one for all of us.

Fair winds and following seas.

Friend of Jamie, Clay Schnadelbach

In our recent interview with Jamie, he organized a fundraiser for his good friend Dirk Hardison, who was recently attacked by two men posing as Amazon workers.

“It really pulled on my heartstrings when I found out what happened,” Jamie said as he jumped in and immediately helped organize a fundraiser to help with Dirk’s recovery efforts.

Jamie has also spoken out about other issues in our community. We also spoke to Jamie in 2022 about long 911 waiting times.

Hundreds of comments under the initial post of his death reiterate just that-- that Jamie is always looking out for other people.

Jamie proudly served and represented this country as a Navy/Army veteran of 15 years. He was deployed three times, twice in Iraq and once in Afghanistan.

He was also a well-known Dispatcher for Moran Towing Corporation.

Jamie also co-founded a 501C-3 foundation with Chicago Defensive End Jared Allen to build handicap accessible homes for our wounded returning home from conflict in the Middle East and Southeast Asia.

Jamie continuously tried to make Savannah a better community, always reaching out to see which ways he could help and improve different aspects of Downtown.

Now, members who work the waterfront are looking into a horn salute for their longtime friend, in his honor.