James Patrick died from complication of liver failure surrounded by family and friends at St. Mary’s hospital on Dec. 16, 2015, at 11 a.m.

James Patrick Schmitz, “Jim,” was born in Osage, Iowa, March 17, 1947. Jim graduated from Adams High School in 1965. He was drafted by the U.S. Army to serve in Vietnam from 1965-1968. Jim married Lynda Wacek in 1969. Jim lived in Rochester in the first part of his career, and worked as a butcher. Jim then worked for Hormel and went on to open a meat locker in Adams, Minnesota, in 1982. Throughout his career Jim worked construction, carpentry, snow removal and trimmed trees. In 1990, he began driving semi-truck for Styer. At Styer he had a reputation for safe driving and he earned an award for traveling a million accident-free miles.

Jim married Sue Gaskill (now Sue Schmitz) of Austin in 1995 and since the two have racked up millions of miles together. Jim always surrounded himself with nature and friends and family. He was a lover of the outdoors and Mother Nature was his sanctuary. Jim loved to ride motorcycle and was a member of the biker group the Dry Riders. Jim was sober for over 30 years, but still he knew how to have a great time right along with any party.

Jim was a most patient of fishermen. He spent hours on the water with a pole in hand just waiting for the big one to come his way. He also enjoyed hunting small and big game. He was a very skilled field dresser on account to his time working as a butcher. This made him a great guy to hunt alongside. In addition to being a sportsmen, Jim loved to tell stories to his children and grandchildren. He would talk about his travels, his trades or just about the people that he had met on his many adventures. Jim also had a great sense of humor and he loved to interact with banter and wise cracks.

Jim was greatly loved and will be greatly missed. He is survived by his wife Sue Schmitz of Adams; his mother Florence Schmitz of Adams; his siblings: David and Julie Schmitz, Bob and Carol Schmitz, Roger Schmitz, Tom Schmitz, Mary and Mike Albercht and Ann Viveros. He also leaves his children: Micheal and Kris Schmitz of Rochester, Heather Schmitz of Rose Creek, Sarah Honeywell of Minneapolis, and Isaac Schmitz of Hayfield. Jim also had many grandchildren that he loved to play with and enjoy watching grow up, including: Megan, Connor, Oliver, Simon, Owen, Ryan, Amelia, Huxley, Theo and Webster. In addition to this long list of family members, Jim also extended his care and kindness out to many family members and friends beyond his immediate family. Jim was a fantastic cousin, step-uncle, second father, mentor and role model. He leaves behind many people that were connected with him in this important way as well.

A celebration of life service will be held on Monday, Dec. 21, 2015, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Adams Funeral Home, 300 West Main Adams, MN 55909. A Rosary will take place at 4:30 p.m., and a prayer service will be at 5 p.m., along with a visitation, all at the Adams Funeral Home. Social hour will follow at the American Legion from 7 to 9 p.m.