JIM SCHMITZ

1933 - 2013

James William Schmitz, beloved husband of Katie Schmitz, passed away in Taber on Sunday, December 8, 2013 at the age of 80 years.
Relatives and friends were invited to meet with the family at Southland Funeral Chapel, 5006 - 48 Avenue, Taber on Thursday, December 12, 2013 between 7:00 P.M. and 8:00 P.M.
The Funeral Mass was celebrated at St. Augustine’s Catholic Church, 5009 - 48 Avenue, Taber on Friday, December 13, 2013 at 11:00 A.M. with Reverend Vincent TuanHa, Celebrant. Burial followed at the Taber Memorial Garden.
Besides his loving wife Katie, he is survived by his children Matthew (Debbie) Schmitz of Barnwell, Kathy Rempel of San Francisco, Kirby Schmitz of Taber and Tom (Trisha) Schmitz of Sylvan Lake; grandchildren Naomi (Shawn) Kempe, Blair Schmitz (Jennae Mertins), Tayler Schmitz, Devin (Blanca) Fletcher, Shawn Fletcher (Chantal Kiemich), Sarah (Tom) Rempel, Lichelle Schmitz (James Gibson), Allysa Schmitz, Dixon Schmitz, Dustin Schmitz, Mitchell Schmitz, Kurt (Crystal) Carver and Samantha Carver; great grandchildren Sofia Fletcher, Kaeson Gibson, Emily and Rebecca Carver, Montana, Madison and Abigale Carver; brother Ralph Schmitz.
He was predeceased by his granddaughter Kelsea Schmitz; parents August and Agnes Schmitz; brothers Lorne, Ed and Art Schmitz; sisters Helen Bugg and Irene Schmitz; brother-in-law Norm Bugg; sister-in-law Carol Schmitz; Katie’s daughter Elizabeth Tautfest; mother-in-law Eva Jasura.
Jim was born in Englefeld, Saskatchewan on August 4, 1933. He grew up on a small family operated farm outside of Englefeld where his parents had settled after emigrating north from the United States. After leaving home and the farm, he traveled west to British Columbia where he worked for some time prior to finally settling in Taber. Jim had at this point established his path as a heavy equipment operator and started his own successful company building oil well locations for the drilling business. He later sold his business to Triwell Oilfield Construction in Taber where he also stayed and worked as a supervisor for several years. Jim then moved on to do some consulting in his later years through his company KJ Supervision, eventually retiring with his loving wife Katie. The pride he took in his hard work throughout his life spoke for itself and was echoed by many. In his retirement, he enjoyed his visits with his friends at A&W coffee row. Jim will always be remembered for his unique sense of humour and his ability to start a small conversation with anybody. He was a great friend to many and was always willing to give a helping hand to those in need. Jim’s memory as a loving husband to his wife, a wonderful father to his children, grandpa loonie to his grand kids and a trusted friend to all that were close to him will live on in our hearts forever.
If friends so desire, memorial tributes in Jim’s name may be made directly to the Taber and District Health Foundation, 4326 - 50 Avenue, Taber, Alberta T1G 1N9.