James P. Kearns, 77, of Waterloo, Illinois, born July 21, 1945 in East St. Louis, Illinois, died Tuesday, May 30, 2023 at St. Luke's Hospital in Chesterfield, Missouri.

James was retired from Affton Chemical in Sauget, IL.  He was an 82nd Airborne U.S. Army veteran and served in the Vietnam War, where he earned a bronze star.  He was an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan.  He enjoyed coaching youth baseball, softball, and soccer.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas and Florence, nee Reagan Kearns; a step mother, Helen Welle; a sister, Mary Mundy; and a brother, Tom Kearns.

Surviving are his wife of 52 years, Christine Kearns, nee Rulo; his children, James Kearns, Jr., Michelle (Tom) Fogerty of Cottleville, MO, Jason (Julia) Kearns of Cary, NC, and Jeremy (Caroline) Kearns of Ballwin, MO; a brother, Don (Dorothy) Kearns of St. Louis, MO; a sister, Mary Mackin of Belleville, IL; and six grandchildren, Ashley, Brendan, Iris, Lennon, Estelle, and Hartford.  He was also a dear brother-in-law, uncle, cousin, and friend.

Memorials may be made to Backstoppers.

Condolences may be expressed online at braunfh.com.

A Gathering of Family and Friends will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 4, 2023 and from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon on Monday, June 5, 2023, at Braun Family Funeral Home, Columbia, Illinois.  A Memorial Service will follow at 12:00 noon at the funeral home.  Burial will be in Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, St. Louis, Missouri.