He was born in St. Louis, MO to the late Wilfred A. and Pura Menendez Maus. He is survived by cousins Michael, John, Dan, David, Jack, and Terri Menendez, Greg and Mark Schwarztrauber, and Susan Routberg.
Bro. Jim met the Marianists at Assumption High School in East St. Louis, IL. Upon graduation, he entered the Marianist Novitiate in Galesville, WI, and Professed First Vows on August 22, 1962. Five years later Bro. Jim made his Perpetual Vows at Our Lady of the Pillar in St. Louis on August 20, 1967. He studied first at St. Mary University in San Antonio, TX. where he earned a BA in English/History in 1965. Later he continued further studies and completed his MA in English from St. Louis University in 1975. While teaching he continued studying to compliment his counseling work and completed another MA in Counseling from St. Mary University in 1980.
James was a very humble, compassionate and unassuming Brother. Beside teaching Literature and Composition at several Marianist high schools in St. Louis, MO, Milwaukee, WI and Fort Worth, TX, he served as a Guidance Counselor to students for college application, Camp Counselor and Administrator at TECABOCA, Coached JV soccer and track teams, Moderated school newspapers and debate teams. He is most proud of a “Wellness Program” that he created while at Nolan H S in Fort Worth, TX to assist at-risk teens utilizing professional psychologists with Peer Helpers connecting with the Because We Care Foundation. This program was later adopted by other Catholic secondary schools in the Diocese of Dallas.
Services: Visitation will begin at 9:00 am until the Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 am in the Cure of Ars Chapel at Vianney H.S., 1311 S. Kirkwood Rd., 63122 on Saturday, November 5, 2022. Interment will follow in Maryhurst Cemetery, which is located on the Vianney H.S. grounds.
Memorial donations may be sent to the Marianist Mission, 4435 E. Patterson Road, Dayton, OH 45430.
