James D. Clister

James David Clister, aged seventy-nine, of Nevillewood, Pennsylvania, departed this life on November 20, 2025. His wife, Renee, and his sons, Cade and Maxim, were at his side. Born on July 2, 1946, in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, Jim was the son of Thomas and Dorothy Clister. He was the youngest of four siblings, Thomas, Charlotte, and Carol, who particularly doted on her baby brother, “Jimmy.” At the age of five, Jim moved with his family to Tucson, Arizona, but Western PA remained his true home. He returned to Pittsburgh as a young man to attend the University of Pittsburgh on a baseball Scholarship. After graduation, he and his first wife, Pamela Saxman, raised four daughters: Lisa, Kristin, and twins Holly and Lauren. Jim was a successful lifetime insurance and financial professional, spending most of his career as a General Agent for the Guardian Life Insurance Company. He was also the longtime owner of Bell Containers, a corrugated packaging company in Cuddy, Pennsylvania. Baseball was one of Jim’s love languages. From Little League to the Majors, he was a lifelong player, fan, and coach. More than a game, baseball was a way of life that shaped his children, especially Lauren, Cade, and Max, as well as his grandchildren, local youth, and, through the Clemente Foundation, young Puerto Rican players, some of whom lived with Jim’s family while pursuing education and athletic careers. A charismatic man, Jim showered his family and friends with a generous, wholehearted love. He delighted not only in giving exquisitely wrapped gifts at Christmas, but also in playing Santa, wearing a glorious red suit and full beard. He had legions of friends far and wide and enjoyed traveling with them to play golf and attend other sporting events. He was a connoisseur of art and design, and he always dressed to the nines, whether in tailored suits or athletic wear. And somehow, he always smelled like vanilla. A happy crier, who teared up with pride when talking about his kids – both his own children and the young people he coached – Jim knew the power of a nickname. If Jim bestowed a name, inevitably, it stuck. Jim left his indelible mark on everyone. Whether wealthy businessperson, celebrity athlete, or “average Joe,” he knew how to make people feel special. He spent the last day of his life calling everyone he cared about to wish them a Happy Thanksgiving. Jim will be lovingly remembered in every crack of a baseball bat, sweet sticky bun, and doo-wop melody. He is survived by his wife, Renee, and their sons, Cade and Maxim, and his first wife, Pam, and his daughters and sons-in-law: Lisa and Kevin Brown of Mt. Lebanon; Kristin and Renato Loffreda-Mancinelli of Rehoboth Beach, Delaware; Lauren and Joseph Salituro of Chicago; and Holly and Douglas Johnston of Chicago. Nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren also survive him: Zack and Stephanie Brown; Alessandra (m. to Hider) Shaaban, parents of Rami and Leo; Isabella (m. Umut) Seyrek; Aurelia Loffreda-Mancinelli; Betty and Isla Johnston; and Vincent and Lorenzo Salituro. Family and friends are welcome Tuesday, November 25, 2025, from 2-4 and 6-8 PM, WILLIAM SLATER II FUNERAL SERVICE, 1650 Greentree Rd., Scott Twp. 15220, (412-563-2800) Funeral Service Wednesday, November 26, 2025, 11 AM in St. Paul Episcopal Church, 1066 Washington Rd., Pgh., 15228. EVERYONE PLEASE MEET AT CHURCH. Interment St. Barbara Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be directed to Pirates Charities by visiting

Pirates.com/donate or mailing a check to Pirates Charities, attention, at 115 Federal St., Pittsburgh, PA 15212. www.slaterfuneral.com Service will be live-streamed at: https://www.stpaulspgh.org/worship-and-music/worship-via-livestream/ or on Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/share/1A3HXKBzvT/?mibextid=wwXlfr