Captain Jim Blum

Captain Jim was the loving husband of Annie Amantea Blum; steadfast dad of Angela Blum and Paul (Jamie) Blum; unwavering anchor to his grandchildren, Codie, Brandon, and Dominic; dear brother-in-law of Marylu Amantea; dear cousin of Tom (Barbara) McNamara; dear uncle of Michael and Matthew Amantea.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Bertha Blum, parents-in-law Michael and Felicia Amantea, and his brother-in-law, Michael Amantea.

Jim was born in Cincinnati, Ohio and attended Xavier High School and Xavier University, where he earned a BS in Business Administration. While at the University in 1968, he noticed a card from the steamer Delta Queen stating that they were looking for a purser for the summer. He got the job and remained in their employment, earning his mate’s license and then his master’s license for unlimited tonnage vessels. In 1970 the boat was in danger of being closed due to the Safety at Sea Act, and on her expected last voyage to New Orleans while tied up at the St. Louis levee, he met Annie Amantea, who was working on the steamer Admiral at the time. They hit it off, and in 1973 he moved to St. Louis to marry Annie while working as a pilot for Streckfus Steamers on the Admiral. He stayed at the Admiral for two years, and after a brief stint on the Belle of Louisville in Louisville, Kentucky, he returned to work on the Delta Queen as captain in 1976. In 1983 he again became captain of the Belle of Louisville. Despite forging dozens of lifelong friendships, sustaining hundreds of personal connections, and creating thousands of indelible memories, Jim moved on from the big boats in 1987 with great hope and expectation, forming his own river excursion business on the Missouri River in St. Charles. While successful, he was forced to abandon his dream after a short run due to costly boat repairs and increased competition.

Jim continued his river career working for the Federal Government at the U.S. Coast Guard Marine Safety Office, guiding and stewarding the next generation of the Merchant Marine. He retired in 2015 after 25 years of federal civilian service. Meanwhile he continued to renew his own master’s license for the remainder of his life.

Away from the river, Jim was a stalwart “Dadio”, amateur photographer, and avid train enthusiast, sharing and exploring these passions with his two children. He maintained an enriching church life, primarily by devoting nearly 50 years of his life helping to preserve the historic Shrine of St. Joseph Catholic Church in St. Louis. At the pinnacle of his service, Jim was president of the board for the last decade, but never too haughty that he couldn’t cook up a few bratwursts at the yearly picnic. He faithfully attended a prayer group, volunteered at the St. Louis Mercantile Library, and participated in annual reunions of river and railroad associations.

In his free time, Jim traveled the world with Annie, frequently cruising the high seas and flying to visit her cousins in Sicily, despite not understanding a lick of Italian. Their favorite cruise together was crossing the Atlantic from NYC to the UK. He frequented his hometown Cincinnati to spend time with his mother, Bertha, his best man and cousin Tom, and the Ohio – the first river he grew to love.

A visitation will be held on Sunday, March 2 from 2-5pm at Hoffmeister Colonial Mortuary, 6464 Chippewa Street 63109. A second visitation will be from 10-11am on Monday, March 3 at the Shrine of St. Joseph, 1220 N. 11th Street at Biddle, 63106. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11am. Interment Calvary Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Captain Jim's memory to the Shrine of St. Joseph Organ Endowment Fund would be greatly appreciated by his family. https://rcfstl.org/fund/captain-james-r-and-annie-amantea-blum-pfeffer-organ-endowment/ or Masses, if preferred.

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