The Rev. James E. Slocum ‘67 ADIV

Date of death: 
Thursday, January 7, 2021

James Earl Slocum died peacefully at Ecumen Lakeshore in Duluth, Minnesota on January 7, 2021. He was 90 years old.

The qualities that inspired, challenged, and shaped Jim throughout his life were his religious faith and his desire to excel intellectually and physically. 

Born in 1930 in St. Paul, MN to James Apgar and May (Earl) Slocum, Jim attended Blake School and Harvard College where he graduated Summa Cum Laude. He also distinguished himself as a skilled sailor, rower, ice boater, and skate sailor. In addition to many trophies from his youth sailing with the Minnetonka (Minnesota) Yacht Club, his Harvard heavyweight-eight racing scull won the 1950 rowing competition in Henley, England. It was also at Harvard that his interest in religious studies began.

After serving in the U.S. Army, marrying and starting a family, and working for several years at his father’s business, the Slocum Bergren Company, and later at the Pillsbury company, Jim decided to switch careers and become a United Church of Christ (UCC) minister. 

Following graduation from Yale Divinity School in 1967, he served as the minister of the First Congregational Church of Waseca, Minnesota, 1967-1975, and St. Paul’s UCC Church in Plato, Minnesota, 1975-1988. Summer vacations during these years were reserved for sailing the Lake Superior Apostle Islands with the family. These often-adventurous trips in all weather conditions are still part of family lore.

During his retirement years in Bayfield, Wisconsin, Jim spent time reading theology, focusing on the themes of “repentance” and “grace”. He also explored and studied the natural world around him. As an amateur geologist, Jim collected rocks wherever he went, labelling and displaying them all around the house. A curious and adventurous traveller, he went on dog sledding trips to Svalbard (Norway), Greenland, and northern Canada; hiking in Nepal and Lake Baikal; and camping on Baffin Island; in addition to many trips to Lucca, Italy and beyond. He also travelled annually to Isle Royale to camp and hike, often on the first ferry boat of the season. Even at home in Bayfield and later in Duluth, Minnesota, long walks were an important part of his daily routine. 

He is survived by his partner, Theodora Spear; his children Charlotte Schechter (John) and Carolyn Fure-Slocum (Eric); two grandchildren Anna Taylor (Eddie) and Jacob Fure-Slocum (Sidney Beaumaster); and his former wife Adrienne Rubel Mohrig. He was predeceased by his parents and brother Robert Earl Slocum. 

Donations in Jim’s name may be made to the Friends of the Apostle Islands National Seashore (https://friendsoftheapostleislands.org/).