Kari Denise James

So many of us are devastated by the loss of our dear Kari Denise James after her 4 year struggle with cancer. Kari was born on August 12, 1957, in St. Louis, Missouri, and died peacefully at home surrounded by loved ones on March 27, 2023, far too soon. The family would like to thank the many doctors, nurses, and hospice team of BJC for their knowledgeable and tender care.

Kari's parents, Don and Helen James, predeceased her several years ago. However, Kari is survived by her husband of 14 years, William Kelly, and by her brother Rob James, sister-in-law Beth James, and their children: Baron, Ryker, and Berlin. Although it may be hard to picture Kari as a grandmother, she was exactly that to Bill's 4 grandchildren. She is also survived by the myriad people whose lives she impacted so beautifully and who already miss her talent, guidance, humor, and joy.

Kari attended both John Burroughs School and Lafayette High School, and graduated with honors from St. Louis University with a degree in Accounting. Throughout the years Kari held several positions as accountant or bookkeeper and even earned her commercial real estate license, but her lifelong passion was dance. Her entire life was spent as a dancer: performing, choreographing, teaching. She studied and performed jazz dance and tap in both New York (Broadway Dance Center) and Los Angeles (Joe Tremaine Dance Center) and shared her vast talent with other dancers in St. Louis for many years, giving those of us who danced as kids an opportunity to do what we loved by taking the stage once more as adults. Her choreographic and teaching skills could be seen and admired at her own studio Steps Unlimited, at COCA, at Washington University, and St. Louis Academy of Dance. Kari also shared her expertise by traveling to various cities across the U.S. participating as a judge for dance competitions. Anyone who took part in Kari's classes knew that was the place for the coolest music and newest dance steps to become part of the repertoire. There is not enough room here to tell you how much she was loved and admired. We are heartbroken that she is no longer with us in this world.

Please make any donations to a cancer charity of your choice.