James Howard Cohen

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of James (Jim) Howard Cohen. Born in St. Louis on Sept. 30, 1946, Jim Cohen, the fourth generation of his family to head the pioneering Central Hardware retail chain, passed away at his home in St. Louis on June 11, 2023. Jim graduated from University City High School and attended the University of Missouri before enlisting in the U.S. Navy. He served 13 months in Vietnam before being honorably discharged.

Upon his return from military service, Jim began a successful two-decade career, or love affair as he often referred to it, at Central Hardware. Jim worked almost every job at Central Hardware, from the warehouse to the retail sales floor to store management, before succeeding his Father as president.

After leaving the company, Cohen ventured into entrepreneurship before opening his own Sears Olive-Hometown store in St. Louis County, which he operated for five years. He ended his career like it began, on the sales floor dealing with customers daily, working for Best Buy until shortly after his leukemia diagnosis.

Jim was a true pillar of his community, serving on the boards of St. Louis Children’s Hospital, the St. Louis Arts and Educational Council, Whitfield School, Paraquad (an independent senior living center), the Jewish Community Center Association, and was both a sponsor and director of the Senior Olympics. Jim's dedication and hard work were recognized in 1986 when he received the AMVETS (American Veterans) Silver Helmet Award for a patriotic display of U.S. flags at all Central Hardware stores.

Jim is survived by his four cherished children, Nancy Cohen Anderson (Shawn) and Jamie L. Cohen (Amber) of Kirkwood, MO, Julie Cohen Kenney and Andrew C. Malley of St. Louis, and his four treasured grandchildren - Carson Anderson, Lilly Anderson, Madelyn Cohen, and Harper Cohen. He is also survived by his three beloved brothers: Richard A. Cohen (Sharon) and Kenneth B. Cohen (Sue) of St. Louis, and Thomas S. Cohen (Lesley Wroughton) of Simon's Town, South Africa.

Visitation Friday, June 16th 11:00 AM at Berger Memorial Chapel, 9430 Olive Blvd, followed by funeral service at 12:00 Noon. In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes gifts supporting the Shirley W. and Stanley M. Cohen Palliative Care Fund at The Foundation for Barnes-Jewish Hospital. Memorial contributions may be sent to 1001 Highlands Plaza Drive West, Suite 140, St. Louis, MO 63110 or submitted online at www.foundationbarnesjewish.org.