John David Levy Jr. (“David”) passed away peacefully on May 26, 2026, at the age of 80.
Beloved husband of Lucy Shelden Levy; dear father of Josh Levy (Sarah), David Levy (Cheska), and the late Catherine Vail Levy; dear grandfather of Zachary Levy, Emma Levy, Ryan Levy, Kate Levy, and Michael Levy; dear son of the late Sally Seasongood Levy and the late John D. Levy; dear brother of Diane Levy Jacobson (Paul) and Mont Seasongood Levy (Karen); dear uncle, great-uncle, cousin, and friend to many.
David lived a full and meaningful life defined by creativity and generosity. A lifelong St. Louisan, he spent three decades working at Angelica Corporation, retiring as Vice President of Strategic Planning in 1999. David supported causes that strengthened the arts, education, and human understanding. He was a generous donor and community leader, serving on many St. Louis boards, including the Jewish Community Relations Council, the American Jewish Committee, the Michael and Barbara Newmark Institute for Human Relations, the National Conference for Community and Justice, Temple Emanuel, the Churchill School, and Opera Theater of St. Louis. David was especially respected for his clarity of thought and collaborative approach.
Throughout his life, David loved to travel with Lucy, and they often included friends and family in their adventures around the world.
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Retirement marked the beginning of a remarkable second chapter with a focus on his exceptional photography and involvement with the arts. An accomplished nature and theatrical photographer, David became a treasured presence in the St. Louis and Santa Fe arts communities. He served as photographer for Opera Theatre of Saint Louis, the St. Louis Shakespeare Festival, and the Kentucky Opera, capturing the artistry and emotion of countless productions while creating visual archival histories. David freely gave his time to photograph artists and assist their career pursuits. His imagery, which reflected technical skill and a profound appreciation for beauty in the world, is displayed at jdavidlevy.com.
Above all else, David was devoted to his family. He took enormous pride in his children and grandchildren and found great joy in sharing experiences, stories, and encouragement with those he loved.
Funeral service Sunday, June 14 at 10 AM at Temple Emanuel, 12166 Conway Road. Private interment follows. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions preferred to Opera Theatre of Saint Louis, the American Jewish Committee, or a charity of the donor’s choice. Please visit BergerMemorialChapel.com for more information. BERGER MEMORIAL SERVICE
