James “Jim” Theodore Edelen, 77, passed away on Friday, March 7, 2025 at Mercy Hospital, Creve Coeur, MO.
Jim was born and raised in the St. Louis suburb of Shrewsbury where his parents Harold and Anita ran the Tempco Company heating and refrigeration business. Shrewsbury was a great place to grow up and his parents’ business afforded ample opportunity to tinker with tools and motors. As a teen and young adult, Jim loved cars and anything mechanical. After graduating from Affton High School and the University of Missouri-Rolla with a degree in mechanical engineering, he headed to Chicago and a 40-year career at US Gypsum Company, where he distinguished himself as the “go-to” expert in the process of kiln drying gypsum wallboard. In that capacity he traveled throughout the country and internationally. He loved living in the far west Chicago suburb of Pingree Grove in a 100-year-old farmhouse with his beloved cats. Jim was known for his subtle, self-deprecating sense of humor. He always had a funny quip to share, but one had to listen closely. He was a kind and generous man, and he will be greatly missed.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Anita (nee Reuss) Edelen, and by his older brother Robert (Bob) Edelen.
Jim is survived by his sister Mary (Tom) Berry of Kirkwood, MO and his nieces and nephews: Jenny (Jim) Gary and Amy Edelen of Tucson, AZ; Matthew Berry of St. Louis, MO and Katie Berry of Boston, MA; and by his sister-in-law Emmy Brown of Tucson, AZ.
Memorials may be made to Best Friends Animal Society, Alzheimer’s Association or charity of choice.
Cremation services were provided by Kutis-Affton Funeral Home.
Private family service will be held at a later date.
Jim was the best friend a person could have. He had such a great sense of humor. Jim loved fixing things that everybody else thought was Impossible. He never said no to his friends. He was always the smartest one in the group but never claiming to be. May you rest in peace
Jim
I worked for Jim for a several years. He taught me so much – work and otherwise. He was always fun to be with and could make the longest days enjoyable. Most everyone at work had a funny “Jim Edelen” story. He was unique and leaned into that uniqueness which made him even more special. He will be missed.
WOW! I am stunned! My wife and I visited Jim at his retirement home on January 3rd. He was doing pretty well yet then. I have many pleasant memories of working with Jim and the many situations we always seemed to find ourselves in, but Jim always had a way to figure it out. The best boss I ever had! His dry sense of humor required some thought to catch what he said. I will miss him. Rest in Peace Jim, you were a very unique person.
Jim Edelen was a man whose presence was as steady as his work and whose kindness left a lasting mark on everyone who knew him. His sense of humor was as vast as the tools you could find in his vest.
Jim’s dedication, generosity, and unwavering spirit will never be forgotten. He had a way of making those around him feel valued, whether through his work, his wisdom, or his quiet acts of kindness.
His legacy will live on in the lives he touched and the memories we share. Rest in peace, Jim—you will be deeply missed.
Jim Edelen was among the finest and earliest corporate engineers I encountered at Sperry as a new plant engineer. He consistently demonstrated a willingness to instruct and listen, and his work ethic was exemplary, characterized by a commitment to completing tasks thoroughly and accurately. He served as a genuine mentor, and I am deeply grateful for his contributions to my development and that of many others. Rest in peace, Jim.
Jim was a leading engineer in his field. I learned much from him, he was patient, hard working, first one in the office and last to leave. We spent numerous trips working together to build things and make things better and safer. He had a unique sense of humor and was the one that everyone respected his opinion. He was truly original.
Rest well Jim … it was a pleasure working with you …
What a Great teacher and mentor. It was always a pleasure to work with Jim; I learned a great deal from him. With his vest and leather suspenders, he always had what he needed. Rest in Peace, Jim; you were a very eccentric person I really enjoyed working with.
I will always remember chasing after Jim in the still hot to the touch tunnels under the Sigurd kiln and freezing to death outside the Sweetwater kiln. Didn’t bother Jim. And if he accidentally dropped a tool, he simply pulled another out of his vest and carried on. He would ask you for your opinion, even though he already knew the right way to do things. He loved to share his knowledge, which is not always done.
Jim was a great friend and amazing mentor to me at a crucial time in my life. I traveled the country with Jim for years and got to know what a great person he was. He taught me so much and took time from his life to help me. I loved all his work and personal stories, he had a great sense of humor. One of the smartest people I’ve ever met and someone who’s legacy will live on. Rest in peace.
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Jim,
Here’s six-pack for the road – Pilsner Urquell of course. You were the best engineer I ever met…To this day, when faced with something I can’t figure out, I ask myself, “What would Jim do?” and that’s what I do. You never offered a half-baked solution – excellence was your standard. You helped me understand the “how and the why” and find the root cause hidden in hot gas and metal. Your mentorship made me the engineer I am today.
I only met Jim once about 45 years ago. He struck me as a kind, intelligent soul. I would like to convey my deepest sympathy to Mary and family.