James Daniel Erwin

He was born in Atlanta, Georgia on October 2, 1924 to James Daniel Erwin V and Mary Louise Candler Erwin. He spent his early years in Atlanta. In 1944 he joined McKesson & Robbins, Inc., a wholesale drug distributor. In 1947 he was transferred to Tampa, Florida in the position of accountant. In 1959 he was transferred to St. Louis, Missouri, where he was Operations Manager of McKesson’s third largest division.

While in St Louis he changed affiliations, electing to join another wholesale drug distributor, Meyer Brothers Drug Co., a 127 year old company, as Sales Manager of the Little Rock subsidiary. A few years later he was promoted to Manager and Vice President of the Little Rock division.

In January of 1966 he was transferred to the corporate offices of Meyer Brothers Drug Co in St Louis in the capacity of Treasurer and was also a member of their Board of Directors. One year later he was elected First Vice President. In 1974 he became the first non-family member to be elected President, a position he held until the company’s merger with Fox-Vliet.

Mr. Erwin spent the next several years with Coldwell-Banker Commercial Real Estate firm where he specialized in the sale, purchase and lease of industrial properties. After this second successful career, he retired in 1989.

Mr. Erwin was also a director of the St. Louis College of Pharmacy, a director of the charitable organization ALIVE, a long-time member of the Rotary Club of St. Louis, and an active member of St. Anselm Parish where he served as a money counter for many years and held positions on the Parish Council and Finance Committee.

He was preceded in death by his wife Daisy Arnold Eastman of Atlanta, mother of his daughters, and his second wife Betty Jean Baier of South Bend, Ind. He is survived by his daughters, Sandra Virginia Schieman of Atlanta, GA and Mary Ellen Pounds of Bella Vista, AR. He is also survived by six grandchildren, nine great grandchildren and nine great-great grandchildren.

Mr. Erwin had many interests, and creative writing was at the top of the list. He wrote four novels and a number of poems. He was also an avid reader, loved photography, foreign travel and classical music. He played bridge, golf, tennis and enjoyed boating especially during his time spent in Florida.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St Anselm Parish on Monday, February 2 at 10:00 a.m. Family and friends may gather at 9:00 a.m. preceding the service for visitation. Burial will be at Bellerive Gardens.

Mr. Erwin was a diligent supporter of his community and country. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to any charitable organization

Arrangements under the direction of Kriegshauser Mortuary-West Chapel, Saint Louis, MO.