James Stein

James “Jim” Richard Stein, 64 years old, resident of St. Peter’s, Missouri, passed suddenly on Saturday, June 12, 2021, at his residence. His death is a tragedy mourned by all who knew and loved him.

Jim was born in Newark, New Jersey on October 19, 1956, to Alan Stein and Stella Florence Doreen Stein (née Nobbs). He grew up in Red Hook, New York with his siblings. He graduated from Red Hook High School 1974 and with a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Paralegal training from Marist College, Poughkeepsie in May 1978. He then joined his father and stepmother, Roberta Farman Stein, in Charlotte, North Carolina. After a year, he moved to join his mother and stepfather, Gerald French, in St. Louis.

Jim never complained about his medical condition or the pain and suffering it entailed. He could race anyone down the hospital corridor on his crutches and he stayed firmly in control of his wheelchair, rarely asking for help to get anywhere.

While growing up in Red Hook, he joined a group of young evangelicals, “Ezekiel’s Wheels” and became an ardent Christian. He lived out his Christian ideals and many people attest to his kindness, generosity, and thoughtfulness. But he became a lawyer because, as he explained, “I like to argue” and so he did. He had a razor-sharp mind, a ready wit, and an awful predilection for puns. While he lived in Charlotte, he worked in the emergency room of a local hospital and grew closer to his dad and his stepmother.

Jim worked at Bryan, Cave, McPheeters & McRoberts law firm in their St. Louis office, first as a paralegal, and then as an attorney in their Trusts & Estates department.  Jim also met his wife Pat at Bryan Cave, where she was a legal secretary.  Jim left Bryan Cave to open his own law firm, specializing in elder care. His clients speak glowingly of his concern and care for them, as well as his unexpectedly affordable charges. They loved him.

Jim always threw himself into anything he embraced, and his interests included among others, woodworking, WW1 and WW2 airplanes, chess, photography, and his religion. He was part of a group of lawyers who studied the Bible together. He and Pat became members of Christview Christian Church. Earlier he joined the “Cross and Cockades” to learn more about airplanes and he and his dad enjoyed visiting aircraft museums in the US and in England.

Jim once shared that he had three life goals: to marry, to have children, and to reach age 50, which for a hemophiliac is a major achievement. He met and married Pat, whom he adored. Pat’s family became everything to him, and her children could not have had a better father. As we know, he went on to live until almost 65.  He had more than achieved his life goals.

He also loved to travel and accompanied his parents Alan and Roberta to England and Paris on two separate occasions. After arriving the second time he took off from the hotel and wheeled himself down the hill to take some photographs of Paris and Notre Dame. He returned late, exhausted but happy. Being in a wheelchair had some advantages: in the crush of tourists at the Palace of Versailles, the guide insisted that Jim be front and center to get the best view. He took some great photos. Another time as the family returned to their hotel, uphill, he was stopped by an inebriated flower shop owner and his wife. They insisted that he needed a glass of local “vin rouge” to fortify him for the uphill journey, pumping their arms to show how it would help him to reach the top of the hill. He graciously consented to join them and the three had an animated conversation. He also flirted outrageously with wait staff at various restaurants and captured many hearts along his way.

We grieve his loss but know that he touched so many people.

Survived by Father, Alan (Roberta) Stein, Son, Richard (Susan) Willerton, Son, Michael A. Willerton, Daughter, Shelley Strange Jones, Sister, Carol Andrea Stein, Sister, Julie Pamela Smith, Brother, Kenneth Bruce Stein, Brother, Adam Douglas (Renee) Stein, Brother, Matthew Duncan (Catherine Meyer) Stein, Grandson, Zach Dane, Granddaughter, Katelyn Willerton, Granddaughter, Hanna Willerton, Granddaughter, Taylor Willerton, Granddaughter, Lauren Willerton, Great-Granddaughter, Joy Dane, Great-Granddaughter, Ruby Dane, Great-Grandson, August Sonis, Sister-in-Law, Donna (Joe) Alagna, Niece, Cora  Beatrix, Niece, Heather Galedriel Smith, Niece, Ali Lee, Special Friend of Angelo and Sam the dog. Preceded in death by his wife, Patricia Ann Stein (nee: Sitzwohl) and his mother, Stella Florence Doreen Stein.  Special thanks to Kristie Biermann and James Borchers for all of their assistance.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in James's name to The Gateway Hemophilia Association 4976 Eichelberger Street St Louis, MO, 63109 or Christview Christian Church 64 Terrie Lane St Charles, MO, 63301.

Baue Funeral Homes is currently following CDC recommendations regarding mask and social distancing policies.

The service will be streamed live on the church’s Facebook page.