Glennon Joseph James

Glennon Joseph James passed away peacefully at home November 29th in Centennial, CO after a brief illness. He is survived by his wife of nearly 60 years, Shirley, and his two daughters, Clare Mathe of Highlands Ranch, CO and Cathy James of Atlanta, GA, son-in-law Richard Mathe, and granddaughters, Alyssa Mathe of Durham, NC and Laura Mathe of Stanford, CA. Glenn was born and raised in St. Louis, MO, the only son of Benjamin and Ann James. He attended St. Louis University High School where he excelled in academics and sports, particularly baseball. He was drafted by the St. Louis Browns but chose to attend St. Louis University. He graduated with a degree in geology in 1948 only to be drafted again, this time by the US government during the Korean War. He proudly served at Ft. Belvoir as an aid to the Commanding General while playing golf up the fairway between his barracks and headquarters. In 1953 Glenn married the love of his life, Shirley, who he first met at St. Louis University. Soon their family was complete -Clare was born in 1954 and Cathy in 1955. While working for Sears, he earned his MBA at night. He then joined International Business Machines, now known as IBM, for whom he worked for the rest of his career. In 1962 he was transferred to the IBM research lab in Poughkeepsie, NY where he happily enjoyed the IBM Country Club. Transferred to Pittsburgh in 1965, Glenn sold computers to US Steel as a marketing manager. In search of a warmer climate and less hectic lifestyle Glenn transferred to the IBM office in Asheville, NC in 1973 where he introduced computers to rural NC and where he and Shirley enjoyed the view of the Biltmore Country Club golf course from their home of 30 years. Retiring from IBM in 1988, Glenn and Shirley split their retirement between Asheville and their vacation home in Hilton Head, SC while traveling extensively worldwide. Wishing to be closer to family, they relocated in 2005 to the Holly Creek Retirement Community in Centennial, CO. Glenn had a life long passion for golf and shot his age in the spring before his death. Exhibiting the extraordinary patience which was the hallmark of his personality and the key to his success on the course, Glenn taught his family members the game of golf, albeit with limited success. Many an evening in Asheville was spent teeing off the front lawn trying to reach the 17th fairway across the road. Throughout his life Glenn cheered for his beloved Cardinals as well as the Pittsburgh Steelers. Reflecting the values of his Jesuit education Glenn volunteered for the local library, and tutored underprivileged school children. After moving to Holly Creek Glenn and Shirley assisted fellow residents in the creation of small wooden cars from scrap wood for distribution to underprivileged children. Utilizing his management and marketing skills from IBM, Glenn directed the Holly Creek division of Toys for Gods Kids and placed cars all over metro Denver and the world. This past October Glenn and the other volunteers reached the 45, 000 toy mark. Glenn was forever the eternal optimist and imbued in his family the virtue of always seeing the ""bright side."" In his memory donations can be sent to the Jesuits of the Missouri Province, Jesuit Advancement Office, Attn. Fr. Robert F. Weiss, S.J., 4511 West Pine Boulevard, St. Louis, MO 63108, www.jesuits-mis.org or Toys for God's Kids, Attn. Donation Toys for God's Kids, 2268 South Grant Street, Denver CO 80210, www.toysforgodskids.com A celebration of Glenn's life will be held at the Holly Creek Retirement Community on Thursday, December 20th at 4pm, 5500 East Peakview Avenue in Centennial, Colorado 80121. A memorial Mass will be held on Friday, February 15, 2013 at 10:00am at St. Francis Xavier College Church Chapel, 3628 Lindell Boulevard in St. Louis, Missouri 63108. Interment will follow at Resurrection Cemetery, 6901 Mackenzie Road in St. Louis, Missouri 63123. Please share memories for Glenn and condolences with his family by signing the guestbook.