May 28, 1983 – Sept. 25, 2022
James Edward Slover died Sunday, Sept. 25, 2022, of natural causes at his home in downtown St. Louis. He was just 39, and his work here was not finished.
James was born May 28, 1983, in San Diego and graduated in 2002 from Lebanon (Mo.) High School. In May 2006, he graduated from Missouri Valley College in Marshall, receiving a BFA in theater performance and a minor in political science.
He was a true Renaissance man and a jack of all trades. His light burned bright — a thoughtful, generous, loyal human who made it his mission to spread kindness. James never met a stranger.
From a young age, James was an accomplished theater artist, both onstage and behind the scenes. He worked at MVC, as well as with the St. Louis Actors’ Studio, St. Louis Shakespeare, the Arrow Rock Lyceum, Citilites Theatre, Union Avenue Opera, the Fox Performing Arts Charitable Foundation and the Kevin Kline Awards. He was as comfortable treading the boards as he was climbing in the grid.
James was an expert political strategist and speechwriter, managing his first campaign as a teenager. He worked as a speechwriter for Missouri Gov. Bob Holden, as an adviser for the Pete Buttigieg presidential campaign, and most recently was managing his second Congressional campaign, for Bethany Mann (MO-03).
But perhaps the thing that was most gratifying for James was helping others. In 2000, he was a logistics manager for a Habitat for Humanity site in Seattle. In his time as development director at Stray Rescue in St. Louis, he wanted to bring home all the dogs. In 2011, he began what would become the St. Louis Mullen Foundation (serving as executive director), which produces revenue-generating events for other smaller St. Louis nonprofits. During the holidays, he coordinated donations and deliveries of meals and necessities to St. Louis families in need.
James leaves behind a loving partner of 16 years, Gabe Hartwig of St. Louis, and furry children Piper and Leo; siblings, Steve (Kara) Wilmoth of Columbia, Mo., Amanda (Ricky) Jones of Lebanon, Mo., Tara (Brian) Blackburn of Willard, Mo., Josh Slover of Springfield, Mo., and Renee Pena of Osage Beach, Mo.; a mother, Tina Wilmoth of Springfield, Mo.; a father, Terry Christner of Lebanon, Mo.; 13 nieces and nephews, whom he adored; and countless friends scattered across the country. Among others, he was preceded in death by a mother, Sue Gregory; and his Pops, Toffan Gregory.
A celebration of James’ life will be from 5-8 p.m. Monday, Nov. 7, at Blue Strawberry Showroom & Lounge (364 N. Boyle Ave., St. Louis). A livestream will be available. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the St. Louis Mullen Foundation (mullenstl.org).
