James David Schams

James David "JD" Schams passed away at the Northgate Nursing Home located in Waukon, Iowa, Monday, April 20, after suffering from multiple health issues and following a tragic fall in his home.

While James was born in Wabasha, Minnesota, he has lived in LaCrosse since 1940 and at the same address 1943. He attended Holy Trinity Grade School and Aquinas High School and remains a faithful Catholic. Like other members of his family JD proudly swerved in the military and was stationed in Germany as a clerk-typist, which exempted him from KP and bivouacking. Upon discharge in 1964, JD eventually graduated from UW-LaCrosse in 1966. Bring a depression era child, JD wanted a job where could make money and went back into construction. When that became unfulfilling, he turned to farming which proved even less fulling and decided to go into a business for himself and bought a TAVERN, even though he was never in such a business before. JD's bar was located across the street from Heileman Brewing Company and location was everything. The bar sponsored teams, softball and pool tournaments and whatever else that could bring in customers. Jim bought a place on the river and eventually owned 6 different types of boats that were a deal to purchase. The city thought he was running a marina so he sold several but kept the pontoon boat for fishing.

After years in the bar business Jim stopped smoking than after several more years he stopped drinking than after several more years Jim sold the business. But he still had his cottage and a big garden at the house. Jim wanted to know more about gardening so he went to public event addressing such issues and discovered he was the only man in the room. The women wanted to know what he was doing there so he never went back. While in the bar business, Jim was encouraged to join the Eagles and has been an active member since 1988. As a military veteran Jim was an active member of the American Legion for 33 years and enjoyed their cookouts.

As a practicing Catholic Jim was a member of the Knights of Columbus and helped them out as his health permitted. And as a life time member on Holy Trinity Parish Jim was an altar boy when allowed in Grade School. When he matured, he was involved as a lector, a Eucharistic Minister, a money counter, a flower arranger, and a member of the chorus. Jim's health reduced his involvement and attending daily mass. As proud graduate of Aquinas Jim followed them school's sports teams and even hosted bi-monthly class reunions. Jim frequented garage sales and curb trash he knew he could make functional. When Holy Trinity had cooking sales, Jim would buy products and distribute them around the neighborhood and in return had a reciprocal effect on helping Jim whenever they could.

Jim was preceded in death by his only sister in 1944, a brother in 1953, his father in 1962, a brother in 2000, his mother in 2005, a brother in 2010 and another brother in 2012. He is survived by 12 nieces and nephews. His awesome nephew Chuck has been his wing man for many years and especially as his health has declined. He is further survived by his brother Fat Albert in the Mad City. Jim has struggled mightily by his last round on illness so it's time for Jim to go in peace and be with his Lord.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 AM, Saturday, April 25, Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 1333 13th Street S, La Crosse with Father Rick Roberts officiating. Family and friends may call from 9:30 AM until the time of Mass. Military Honors will be accorded immediately following, outside of the church.