The Rev. James Sullivan was born Aug 15, 1940, Ordained March 26, 1966, and passed away April 15, 2025 at the age of 84.  He served parishes for 59 years as a Catholic priest, including Holy Family Catholic Church, St. Gerald Mission Church, both in Franklin County, and retiring from parish ministry in 2017 as Senior Associate Pastor of Incarnate Word Catholic Church in Chesterfield, MO.

Fr. Sullivan was known for his love of plants and insects.  He shared his enthusiasm and knowledge on magical walks in the woods with his great-nephews and on planned nature study walks with the Webster Groves Nature Study Society.  His field notes were published by the Society in the book "Insects and their Plants: Observations of Missouri Insects and the Plants They Live On".

He is survived by three brothers, William Sullivan (Sue), John Sullivan and Edward Sullivan and two sisters, Sr. Rosemary Sullivan OP, and Marianne Sullivan.  He was a beloved uncle to Kathi Corbett Otto (Chris Otto) and Tricia O'Brien (Robert) and great-uncle to Owen O'Brien and Logan O'Brien.

Visitation will be held Tuesday, April 22, 9:00 a.m. until Funeral Mass 10:00 a.m. at Incarnate Word Catholic Church, 13416 Olive Blvd., Chesterfield, Missouri.  Funeral Mass will be celebrated by Archbishop Mitchell T. Rozanski. Fr. Sullivan's Mass will be live-streamed for friends and family.

Fr. Sullivan will be interred at Resurrection Cemetery at a later date.

Ortmann Stipanovich Funeral Home   www.osfuneralhomes.com