James Allen DeClue, Sr., was born to the union of James Shields DeClue, Jr. and Louise Viola Burnam, on February 29, 1922, in St. Louis, Missouri. He was the brother of Frank Burnam DeClue (1922-2001). He was educated in the St. Louis public schools, including Sumner High School (1937-1941). Dr. DeClue's pre-optometric studies were done at Stowe Teacher's College, St. Louis (1941-1943), and Howard University, School of Engineering, Washington, D.C. (1943-1944). He received his degree in Optometry from the Illinois College of Optometry, Chicago, IL (1946-1949). Subsequently, he obtained his B.S. degree in Secondary Education at Butler University, Indianapolis, IN (1963-1967). He attended graduate school at Butler (1967-1968) and Indiana State University. Dr. DeClue was drafted into the Army and served January 1943 – December 1945. While enlisted, he married Shirley Marie Johnson (1923-1990). From this union were born James Jr. and Rosalynn Marie. With his second wife, Anita Evelyn Wheaton (1922-1998), were born Steffan and David. He was a lifelong jazz enthusiast, having been friends with schoolmate Wendell Marshall (bassist for Duke Ellington's band), Nat "King" Cole and Wes Montgomery, a member of the Presbyterian faith and was extremely proud of his association at with The Prometheans, of which he was a member for over 60 years. It became a national organization (1945-2011) that grew out of 35 members (engineering students) of the ranks of Company A, 2515th, S.U., A.S.T., in World War II. During his lifetime he was co-founder of National Neighbors, Inc., a national organization devoted to the implementation of the 1968 Civil Rights Act pertaining to housing in the U.S.; a Vice-President & Treasurer of the National Optometric Association; a member of The Board of Regents of Harris-Stowe State College, St. Louis; a member of The National Eye Research Foundation: a member of the St. Louis Optometric Society. He was a past President, St. Louis Branch NAACP, member of the Missouri Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights; and a Chairman of the Voluntary Interdistrict Coordinating Council-the committee that administered the transfer of students and teachers in the St. Louis/St. Louis County School Desegregation Case. Dr. DeClue's first optometric practice was in 1949, at 1015a N. Garrison. After several years with the former Guhl-Midtown Optometry, 605 N. Grand (University Club Bldg.), he became an optometrist for Cole National (old Sears Building), and with the Union-Sarah Neighborhood Center. Along with his wife, Anita as Vice-President, he branched out on his own and began Eye & Vision Care Ltd, 7266 Natural Bridge Rd., Normandy, MO (1980-2008). Ailing health caused him to stay close to home after decades of travel around the world. Death came peacefully on this morning of November 16, 2011, of complications due to congestive heart failure. He is survived by his four children: James Allen DeClue, Jr. (Denver, CO), Rosalynn Marie DeClue (St. Louis, MO), Steffan Eugene DeClue (Washington, DC and David Marshall-Rutledge-deClue (St. Louis, MO); four nieces: Sandy Anderson (Houston, TX), Rhonda Hawkins (Spokane, WA), Faye Young (Kansas City, MO) and Gail Burkley (Collinsville, IL); two nephews: Frank Major DeClue, Sr. (Kansas City, MO) and Duane DeClue (St. Louis, MO); one grandson: Darius DeClue (Denver, CO); and a host of cousins and friends throughout the country. This Online Memorial has been created to commemorate the life of Dr.DeClue. You are invited to add a Tribute in his memory. Please click "Sign Guestbook" below to add your own memories, reflections, thoughts or condolences.
