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In Loving Memory

Wamhoff, James W

December 9, 1948 - July 25, 2025

James W. Wamhoff (Jim), 76, passed away at home on July 25, 2025 after a very short illness. He is survived by his best friend, Patricia Sanders Wamhoff, his wife of 56 years, his beloved sons James, Jr. (Melanie) and Stephen (Atiba), 5 grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren, and a much-loved large family of in-laws, nieces and nephews. The second youngest of eight children born to Madalin (Miller) and Harry Wamhoff, Jim was raised in a loving home that prepared him to be the man he became. His surviving sisters are Mary Pracht, Katy Van Stratton and Sue Grysiewicz (Rich). His siblings, Nancy Adkisson, Barbara Roeder, Larry Wamhoff and Harry Wamhoff predeceased Jim.
After graduating from McBride High School, Jim followed in his father’s and his brother’s footsteps and joined the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department. After joining, he was required to take some college courses. From that point on, learning became his life-long passion. He decided to get a different full-time job that would enable him to also attend college full time, all while raising a family, lovingly rehabbing the family home and attending required Army Reserves training. With all of this, his family always came first. He was always positive, happy and grateful, but a quiet man. No one really knew how much he did. His family, however, knew there was nothing he could not fix with either his tools or advice, and the void he leaves is huge. He ended up with several degrees, even completing all the course work for a Ph.D. He landed a job with Welder and Industrial, Cee-Kay Supply and then Airgas. He was always grateful for the opportunities he was given at each of those jobs, and he was proud of his contributions.

Jim retired from Airgas in 2014 and was lucky enough to spend every day on some adventure with Pat, while enjoying their wonderful trips, visiting family, and the dinners, parties and golf with friends. He was a voracious reader, loved poetry, and was a long-time supporter of the Rep, the Symphony and Opera Theatre of Saint Louis. Don’t let these interests fool you. He also loved hard rock. He had many interests which made him interesting to be around.

Visitation for Jim will be on Saturday, August 9, 2025, between 3:00 and 6:00 at Kutis Funeral Home at 5255 Lemay Ferry Road. As a parting shot to our current political situation, it would really make Jim smile at any contributions to any of the newly defunded institutions/organizations, whether cultural, educational, scientific or charitable.

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2 thoughts on “Wamhoff, James W”

  1. Jim always told me that his success was due mostly to luck or primorial indifference. I disagreed with him and told him that he was prepared for success and the most important fact was that he knew how to treat others. He was kind and gentle and a joy to be around. I never heard Jim cuss but he would utter a phrase on the golf course which I will repeat regarding his passing. “Oh Fudge!”

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