James Richard Giannantonio

Pastor James R. Giannantonio of Houston, Texas died from ALS on January 19, 2026, at the age of 78. A native of Philadelphia, he graduated from Penn State and from The Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia. In 1975, he became the Assistant Pastor of Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Pottstown, PA, and in 1985 the pastor of Christ the Servant Lutheran Church in Houston, retiring in 2025. While AT CTS, he began varied ministries ranging from an AIDS Care Team to feeding the homeless, a ministry that has continued for almost 40 years.

Pastor Jim love teaching. For 18 years he conducted a study trip in Rome, Italy, where he taught how the Roman Empire impacted early Christianity. He led study tours of Israel where he had, in seminary, walked the country in Jeus’ steps. A world traveler, he returned most often to Italy and archeological digs in the Middle East.

Life fascinated Pastor Jim. He raced bicycles, piloted and raced airplanes, rode a Harley, sang in choirs and played in a rock band, read thousands of books, saw hundreds of movies, enjoyed collecting a myriad of things, could juggle, and was able to name a good Italian restaurant in almost any city.

His colleagues and congregation remember Pastor Jim as compassionate, intelligent, and quirky. Above all, he was faithful. Every year he reviewed the promises he made as an Eagle Scout, a pastor, and a husband to be sure he was fulfilling them. Everyone knew he could be counted on, and many people did.

Pastor Jim is survived by his wife, Carolyn, his sons, Jacob and Benjamin, Benjamin’s wife, Erin, and their children Meredith, Elliott, and Andrew.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations to the following organizations:

I Am ALS A grassroots, patient-led disruptor, I Am ALS focuses on immediate policy change and accelerated access to treatments. This organization maintains a 100% accountability rating, spending just $0.04 of every dollar on fundraising to ensure that gifts go directly toward the fight Jim so bravely fought. Link: https://iamals.donordrive.com/campaign/PastorJim

The Opportunity Endowment Fund (OEF) Based at Christ the Servant Lutheran Church, the OEF provides financial assistance to the underserved and those struggling with life’s circumstances. The fund specializes in supporting "tangible" ministries that make a measurable, visible difference in the world. Link: https://secure.myvanco.com/YGKE/campaign/C-YGWV

A funeral service will be held on Saturday February 7, 2026, at Christ the Servant Lutheran Church, 2400 Wilcrest Drive, Houston, Texas 77042. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to West Houston Assistant Ministries, Christ the Servant Homeless Ministry, or Christ the Servant Opportunity Endowment Fund.