Jim Confer

James (Jim) Allen Confer

April 2, 1953 -- April 6, 2023

On Thursday, April 6, 2023, Jim passed away comfortably at his home in the company of his family.  Born in St. Louis, Missouri, family was an integral focus of his life.  As a child and young man, Jim worked alongside his family and future wife at his father's barbeque stands (Connie's) in Jefferson Barracks Park.  As a father, he sacrificed whatever he could to ensure the pleasure and opportunity for his wife Nancy (his "partner") and three children.  When it came to his children, whether it was music lessons, German language studies, sports teams, creative activities, an excitement for math and science, or learning the schuhplattler dance, Jim always encouraged them to expand their horizons through education and an engagement of their communities.

Anyone who spent much time with Jim also knew he was ever willing to expand the distances traveled for a newfound mom and pop Italian restaurant, a fresh made potato chip, or the perfect cup of chili.  Who among you wouldn't love a quick five-hour drive for a taste of Dixon's chili in Kansas City… "soupy, please."  Even more, every trip was an opportunity to find a snow cone (root beer), some ice cream, or maybe just a quick round of minigolf.

Throughout his life, Jim was as much a musician as he was anything else.  In high school he composed rock tunes for bands, complete with choreography for the horn section, each member alternately bobbing up and down to the beat.  A lifelong drummer, excellent in many styles of music from around the world, he taught music lessons at Atkinson's Music in Lemay for years, performed and with local bands, played countless dances, church picnics and masses with and for many polka fanatics, and sat in to play jazz whenever the chance came along.  No gas station endcap or used music store could ever escape the seasoned eye he had for a CD (or DVD) for which he'd not yet had the pleasure.  A union member and supporter of the Musician's Association of St. Louis since he was a teenager, he was the 2012 recipient of their Owen Miller Award for a lifetime of achievement and service, an honor he was enormously proud of.

Professionally, Jim loved, respected, and served our veterans as a computer specialist for the VA hospitals from the beginning of the VA's Decentralized Hospital Computer Program.  Using his skills as a database programmer and working with VA researchers and caregivers, Jim was able to extract important data from computerized records of care in order to improve the care given our veterans.  His work resulted in numerous papers in medical journals, and he was considered an expert in extracting and coding information in a manner that maintained patient privacy and met HIPAA privacy guidelines.  Jim presented his work at VA conferences and was generous and enthusiastic in sharing his knowledge to promote the best patient care.

Throughout his life, Jim shared his love with his partner and wife, Nancy.  Together, they raised a family, traveled the country, listened to music, danced and gardened together and once in a while wore matching shirts.  They organized parties for family, hosted nieces, nephews, grandchildren and neighbors whenever they could. Always there for one another, they were together at the very end, and their love will last forever.

Husband of Nancy Confer (née Hoffmann), son of William and Julia Confer, sibling of Charles, John, Robert and Gladys, father of William, Nicholas and Laura, father in law to Ása and Jody, grandfather to Auburn, Julia and Inga, uncle and friend to countless others, Jim will be laid to rest Friday, April 14 in Mount Hope Cemetery at 1215 Lemay Ferry Rd, St. Louis, MO.  Public visitation will be held Thursday, April 13, from 4 pm to 8 pm at John L. Ziegenhein and Sons Funeral Homes South County Chapel at 4830 Lemay Ferry Rd, St. Louis, MO.  The funeral ceremony will begin at 1 pm Friday, April 14 with burial following.  In lieu of flowers, consider making a donation in Jim's name to the American Lung Association.