Went to be with the Lord at the age of 94 on the 21st day of January in the Year or Our Lord 2026 in St. Louis, Mo.
Devoted son to the late Roy Lee Birdnow and the late Fern Lucille Birdnow (nee Rolens). Dear husband of the late Janet Claire Birdnow (nee Kennedy). Beloved father to Eric James Birdnow, Brian Everett Birdnow, and Timothy Kennedy Birdnow. Dear father-in-law to the late Catherine Mary Birdnow (nee Dunsford). Beloved grandfather to Maxwell Roman Birdnow and Caroline Elizabeth Birdnow, and son-in-law to the late Chester Adalbert Kennedy and Anna Caroline Kennedy (nee Alblinger). Brother of Paul Richard Birdnow and loving uncle to Carol Ann Birdnow, Paul Richard Birdnow Jr., and Ellen Marie Birdnow (nee Durnbaugh). Brother-in-law to William Kennedy and Rose Kennedy and loving uncle to Lori Hitz (nee Kennedy) and Scott Kennedy.
In Lieu of flowers please donate to the American Heart Association or dedicate a Mass to him.
He was born during the Great Depression in St. Louis, Mo., and his father was a conductor on the Missouri Pacific Railroad. As his father was frequently laid off of work, he spent a lot of time (every summer in fact) in Bismark Missouri at his grandmother’s farm. The farm lacked electricity and running water and was heated with a wood stove, so he learned early to live under rough conditions and to shoot guns. This would serve him well when he was drafted into the Army, where he was the best shot in his company and won a medal for marksmanship.
A very bright child he skipped fifth grade in school and his love of learning continued the rest of his life. While he never attained a college degree he did attend St. Louis University for a couple of years, and he was always reading books. He loved history and couldn’t get enough of it.
He served during the Korean War in the occupation forces in Germany and while not in combat he often went out on maneuvers in the countryside, living in foxholes and helping to keep the Soviets at bay. After having been assigned to the 101st Airborne, he requested a transfer because of a fear of heights and so served in the 28th Infantry (aka the Bloody Bucket).
He met Janet Kennedy and they were married on June 25th, 1960. He had worked as an accountant and salesman before taking a job at Kennedy Stationery, the company owned by his father-in-law, where he worked for many years before retiring.
He was also a fine athlete who played high school football and other sports at Beaumont High School, and his love of sports carried on throughout his life. He would coach Eric and Brian’s soccer team at Our Lady of Good Counsel for several years, once almost taking them to the City championship.
Raised a Methodist he converted to Catholicism in the mid 1970’s and he remained a faithful member of the Church for the rest of his life.
He enjoyed parties and get-togethers and loved socializing with people.
He was a loving father and good friend and everyone who knew him liked him very much; he had no enemies.
Eternal rest grant unto him O Lord and let the perpetual light shine upon him.
Services: Visitation and Funeral Mass will be held Saturday, January 31, 2026 at Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church, 10235 Ashbrook Drive, Bellefontaine Neighbors, MO 63137. Visitation at 9:00 a.m. with the Mass to follow at 10:00 a.m. Interment Calvary Cemetery.
Condolence(1)-
Bill Hudson says
January 28, 2026 at 9:24 pmMy deepest sympathy to the Birdnow family. I had the pleasure of Jim working for me as a security officer at the MARCASCO building. He was a wonderful man. May he rest in peace.