James Ficker

James C. Ficker went to his heavenly home on November 14, 2020 after recently celebrating his 95th birthday. For more than twenty years, he was a faithful member of Harvest Church and several Bible study groups for men. Jim never met a stranger and showed the love of Christ to everyone he encountered through his warmth and friendliness. His life was a story of the redemptive power of Christ. Jim’s childhood was less than idyllic – his mother died when he was six and due to addiction, his father was unable to care for him and his sisters. He was raised at German St. Vincent’s Catholic Orphanage in St. Louis. After leaving the orphanage, Jim joined the Navy in 1943 serving in the aftermath of WWII. Upon honorable discharge, he returned to St. Louis and began working at Emerson Electric where he met his first wife, Ruth. In 1956, Jim accepted the Lord as his personal savior in answer to the faithful prayers of his wife. Through a divine encounter with a stranger, he landed a job with the Terminal Railroad Association, where he worked as a switchman for more than thirty years. Drawing upon his faith, Jim overcame his childhood wounds and devoted himself to nurturing and supporting his family. He faithfully invested in the lives of his children and grandchildren (including those he adopted as his own) listening and praying for each one as well as teaching them how to fish, ride bikes, play ball and many other games. James is survived by his wife, Virginia; his sister, Dorothy; his children, Robert and Joann (Martin); nephews Dennis (Missy), Sid (Carol), Jim, Mike (Marianne), and Ray; nieces Suellen (Tom), Jan (Jim), Ruth (Russ), and Angie (John); grandchildren Billy Ray (Debbie), Gene (Kathy), Miriam (Kevin), Michelle, Airana, Cassie, Wes, Jerrad, Jordan, Cole, Dustin, Brennan, Briley, Lexi, and Brax; and eight great grandchildren plus many more family members and friends - all who dearly loved him and will greatly miss him. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Ruth; his sister, Elsie; daughter Patricia; and son Billy. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations to Harvest Church, Promise Keepers, or the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.