Billionaire philanthropist Jim Stowers dies at 90

Jim Stowers, who died this week at age 90, became a billionaire by shrewdly investing other peoples money.

After both he and his wife, Virginia, were diagnosed with cancer, they gave away most of their fortune to find cures for cancer and other deadly diseases. They established a world-class institute in their hometown of Kansas City.

In 2006, the institutes medical research was threatened when Missouri legislators tried to criminalize some forms of embryonic stem cell research.

The couple almost single-handedly bankrolled the fight to pass a constitutional amendment to protect a form of embryonic research. Voters narrowly approved the amendment in a bitter statewide battle.

He provided most of the funds for the campaign, Dr. William Danforth, chancellor emeritus at Washington University, recalled Tuesday.

The two wealthy men, from opposite ends of the state, joined forces in 2006 to create Missouri Cures. The organization won passage of the amendment with a sea of TV ads.

Opponents called the funding clone-to-kill money.

Danforth said Mr. Stowers was committed to making the world a better place.

He recruited some of the best scientists and physicians to the Stowers Institute for Medical Research, putting Kansas City on the map for disease and gene research.

The Stowerses spared no expense. Their institute opened in 2000 and has a $2 billion endowment.

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Billionaire philanthropist Jim Stowers dies at 90