on Saturday, December 26, 2020, age 85. Loving husband of Kelly Lutz-Wilson and the late Carol R. Wilson (nee McNamara); loving father of Theresa (Jeff) Welker, Kelly Moran, Mary (Geoff) Steinhart, Kathleen (Wayne) Schilly, Afsaneh (Stu) Bloodworth, Joshua (Kayla Misera) and Jonathan Saboorizadeh; dear grandfather of Ryan (Jessica), Matthew, Jonathan (Samantha), James, Mallory, Brandon (Lindsay), Trevor (Kristen), Geoffrey, Courtney and Patrick; dear great-grandfather of 4; dear brother of the late John J. (LaVerne) Wilson. Our dear brother-in-law, uncle, cousin and friend to many.
James’ career highlights include being the Director of Missouri State Parks and being the first Director of Natural Resources for the State of Missouri. After several executive positions with United Van Lines and Mayflower Transit, he finished his career with UniGroup Inc. He also played 6 years of Minor League baseball and was inducted into the St. Louis Amateur Baseball Hall of Fame in 1998. He loved golf, and was an avid sports fan who loved watching his grandchildren play sports.
Services: Private memorial service to be held at Kutis South County Chapel, 5255 Lemay Ferry, with a celebration of life at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations to the National Kidney Foundation, 1001 Craig Rd., #480, St. Louis 63146.
Terry and Jeff….I am so sorry for the loss of your Dad. He was a special person and kind to everybody. We are all praying for you and in our thoughts. ❤
Terry and Jeff….I am so sorry for the loss of your Dad. He was a special person and kind to everybody. We are all praying for you and in our thoughts. ❤
I have the fondest memories of him watching Mary and I playing tennis. I could tell how much his kids meant to him. I loved when he would drive around and visit Mary and I walking around the neighborhood. He always put smiles on our faces. He will be missed by many, including me.
My thoughts are with his entire family and many friends.
I have the fondest memories of him watching Mary and I playing tennis. I could tell how much his kids meant to him. I loved when he would drive around and visit Mary and I walking around the neighborhood. He always put smiles on our faces. He will be missed by many, including me.
My thoughts are with his entire family and many friends.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Jim’s entire family. He dearly loved his family and will be missed by all. We can all see his bright smile and hear him chuckling. May all of the happy memories help heal all of your hearts. Love to all, Paul and Michelle Mackin.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Jim’s entire family. He dearly loved his family and will be missed by all. We can all see his bright smile and hear him chuckling. May all of the happy memories help heal all of your hearts. Love to all, Paul and Michelle Mackin.
Thinking about and praying for your whole family. Grandpa Jim was an amazing man who will leave a great legacy. I will always remember the fun times I shared with him and the rest of his beautiful family! With love, Natalie Mackin
Thinking about and praying for your whole family. Grandpa Jim was an amazing man who will leave a great legacy. I will always remember the fun times I shared with him and the rest of his beautiful family! With love, Natalie Mackin
My heartfelt condolences. I was fortunate to have known the family and make life]long friends.
My heartfelt condolences. I was fortunate to have known the family and make life]long friends.
So sorry to hear of Jim’s death. He was a wonderful man with a great sense of humor. He will be missed by many!
So sorry to hear of Jim’s death. He was a wonderful man with a great sense of humor. He will be missed by many!
Our sincerest condolences to the entire family. We were lucky to know Jim and always thoroughly enjoyed the times we spent with him and the family.
You are all in our thoughts during this difficult time.
Sincerely,
Adam and Robyn Schneider
Our sincerest condolences to the entire family. We were lucky to know Jim and always thoroughly enjoyed the times we spent with him and the family.
You are all in our thoughts during this difficult time.
Sincerely,
Adam and Robyn Schneider
Princess, I’m so very sorry for your loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Princess, I’m so very sorry for your loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Mary and Terry
So sorry for your lose. The picture of you Dad was perfect. Prayers and thoughts with you both and your families at this hard time.
Gerrie
Mary and Terry
So sorry for your lose. The picture of you Dad was perfect. Prayers and thoughts with you both and your families at this hard time.
Gerrie
I’m so sorry for the loss of your father, grandpa, Your family is in our prayers.
I’m so sorry for the loss of your father, grandpa, Your family is in our prayers.
We are so sorry for the loss of your father , grandpa , your family is in our prayers ,
We are so sorry for the loss of your father , grandpa , your family is in our prayers ,
Jeff and Mary. So Sorry to hear about your loss. You are all in our prayers.
God Bless,
Jim and Cindy
Jeff and Mary. So Sorry to hear about your loss. You are all in our prayers.
God Bless,
Jim and Cindy
My prayers and thoughts to the Wilson family. The world has lost a great man. Jim was the best boss and friend ever.
My prayers and thoughts to the Wilson family. The world has lost a great man. Jim was the best boss and friend ever.
Terri, Kelly, Mary, & Katie
I’m very sorry for your loss. I loved your dad – I always thought of your parents as a second mom n dad to me!! Loved them both dearly!! ❤
Terri, Kelly, Mary, & Katie
I’m very sorry for your loss. I loved your dad – I always thought of your parents as a second mom n dad to me!! Loved them both dearly!! ❤
We are so sorry to hear of your loss! Loved hanging with your Dad at sporting events for Geoffrey throughout many years! He was such a wonderful man, we were privileged to know! Our deepest sympathy and prayers of comfort to all of your family! Love the Shanahan family ❤️
We are so sorry to hear of your loss! Loved hanging with your Dad at sporting events for Geoffrey throughout many years! He was such a wonderful man, we were privileged to know! Our deepest sympathy and prayers of comfort to all of your family! Love the Shanahan family ❤️
Deepest sympathy to the entire Wilson family. Jim was a warm and kind
man, always made people feel important and cared about. I enjoyed watching our kids play ball on the bleachers with Jim and having a beer together!! You will be missed!! May God hold Jim in his loving arms!❤️
Deepest sympathy to the entire Wilson family. Jim was a warm and kind
man, always made people feel important and cared about. I enjoyed watching our kids play ball on the bleachers with Jim and having a beer together!! You will be missed!! May God hold Jim in his loving arms!❤️
We will miss him! We are grateful that he blessed our family with funny memories of Jack. He loved you all. Prayers for you as you look forward to seeing him again.
We will miss him! We are grateful that he blessed our family with funny memories of Jack. He loved you all. Prayers for you as you look forward to seeing him again.
We were neighbors for many years with Jim and Carol. Their two younger daughters were playmates with our two daughters. One New Year’s Eve, during an ice storm we slid over and toasted a few to the New Year. Not sure how we got back home!
We were neighbors for many years with Jim and Carol. Their two younger daughters were playmates with our two daughters. One New Year’s Eve, during an ice storm we slid over and toasted a few to the New Year. Not sure how we got back home!
Wilson family and Kelly Lutz, I think I know a lot about your , I’ve sat next to him many nights at Bart’s, we shared many stories that men talk about that is pretty much for just us to share. I learned a lot from him , he introduced me to his business he worked with and I can say this , he was admired by everyone that knew him ex specially me. He read more books than anyone I know, such a intelligent man . I truly will miss him as I’m sure those who knew him
Like I did will also, towards the end of his hood days I did not see him are call him like should have but I can honestly say I thought of him a lot he was such a inspiration for me. He shared so much of his life’s past and his day to day happenings. One could only wish to have lived in his shoes, he lived a life so full of more good times than bad. I must say we all owe a big thanks to Kelly his wife and care giver , what a blessing to have had her in his last years here , kelly I thank you for all the care and love you showed to Jim , God bless you and the Wilson family I couldn’t of been more bleating have met all
Of you
Wilson family and Kelly Lutz, I think I know a lot about your , I’ve sat next to him many nights at Bart’s, we shared many stories that men talk about that is pretty much for just us to share. I learned a lot from him , he introduced me to his business he worked with and I can say this , he was admired by everyone that knew him ex specially me. He read more books than anyone I know, such a intelligent man . I truly will miss him as I’m sure those who knew him
Like I did will also, towards the end of his hood days I did not see him are call him like should have but I can honestly say I thought of him a lot he was such a inspiration for me. He shared so much of his life’s past and his day to day happenings. One could only wish to have lived in his shoes, he lived a life so full of more good times than bad. I must say we all owe a big thanks to Kelly his wife and care giver , what a blessing to have had her in his last years here , kelly I thank you for all the care and love you showed to Jim , God bless you and the Wilson family I couldn’t of been more bleating have met all
Of you
Terri, Jeff, Ryan, and Matt,
We are so sorry about the passing of your dad, father-in-law and grandfather. I hope your fond memories help you through the loss. We love you.
Terri, Jeff, Ryan, and Matt,
We are so sorry about the passing of your dad, father-in-law and grandfather. I hope your fond memories help you through the loss. We love you.
Our deepest condolences to the entire family. It was so evident how much Jim loved his family and their love for him. He was truly a great man! We have many fond memories of spending time with Jim and his family and will cherish those forever. May the love you all shared with him help get you through these difficult times.
Our love and prayers to all! Mike and Elaine
Our deepest condolences to the entire family. It was so evident how much Jim loved his family and their love for him. He was truly a great man! We have many fond memories of spending time with Jim and his family and will cherish those forever. May the love you all shared with him help get you through these difficult times.
Our love and prayers to all! Mike and Elaine
Jim was the definition of a true gentleman. They don’t come any better than this. My heart goes out to all the members of the family during this time of sadness.
Jim was the definition of a true gentleman. They don’t come any better than this. My heart goes out to all the members of the family during this time of sadness.
Mary,
I am so sorry for your loss.
Susie Edelstein
Mary,
I am so sorry for your loss.
Susie Edelstein
Jim created what became the UniGroup family environment. From the first Super Bowl sales conference in the late 70’s, UVL and later MF agents were able to interact and work closely together for a common goal. Jim was so instrumental with that process. He knew (and remembered) everybody in the room. Not sure how he did that. His ability to command and keep a room attentive was 2nd to none. He was always great to be around (except when he missed a putt). He has been missed since his retirement and will be missed forever now. However, he will never be forgotten!
Jim created what became the UniGroup family environment. From the first Super Bowl sales conference in the late 70’s, UVL and later MF agents were able to interact and work closely together for a common goal. Jim was so instrumental with that process. He knew (and remembered) everybody in the room. Not sure how he did that. His ability to command and keep a room attentive was 2nd to none. He was always great to be around (except when he missed a putt). He has been missed since his retirement and will be missed forever now. However, he will never be forgotten!
So sorry to learn of Jim’s passing.May he Rest In Peace. Cecilia and I send our sincere condolences to his family.
So sorry to learn of Jim’s passing.May he Rest In Peace. Cecilia and I send our sincere condolences to his family.
Deepest condolences to all family members during this time.
Jeff and Heather Wagner
Deepest condolences to all family members during this time.
Jeff and Heather Wagner
On behalf of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources:
With sympathy to Jim’s family – we are so sorry to hear of his passing.
On behalf of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources:
With sympathy to Jim’s family – we are so sorry to hear of his passing.
I just learned about Jim’s passing. I’m so sorry for your loss. I had the privilege of interviewing Jim in 2014 to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. I tremendously enjoyed listening to his stories of the good old times in the department. I have worked for numerous MoDNR directors but was not here when he first served as the director. It was a real honor for me to be able to talk to him and learn more about the challenges he faced during his time with the department. I think we could have chatted all day. If you are interested in watching the video – I’ve provided a link below. Continued prayers to his family and friends.
https://youtu.be/aQRHQUvnnPY?t=616
Renee Bungart
Retired from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources
I just learned about Jim’s passing. I’m so sorry for your loss. I had the privilege of interviewing Jim in 2014 to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. I tremendously enjoyed listening to his stories of the good old times in the department. I have worked for numerous MoDNR directors but was not here when he first served as the director. It was a real honor for me to be able to talk to him and learn more about the challenges he faced during his time with the department. I think we could have chatted all day. If you are interested in watching the video – I’ve provided a link below. Continued prayers to his family and friends.
https://youtu.be/aQRHQUvnnPY?t=616
Renee Bungart
Retired from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources