James L. Schmauch Jr., 76

James L. Schmauch Jr. passed away peacefully in the early morning of Sept. 26, 2022, at the age of 76.

He was born in New Orleans on Aug. 10, 1946, to James L. Schmauch Sr. and Jeanne Abadie Schmauch.

Jim attended grade school in New Orleans and then moved with his family to Kalispell in 1958 where he attended Russell School, Central School and graduated from Flathead County High School in 1965.

In June of 1965 he married Lynette Band and together they had two children, Wendy and Daniel. During the 1970s, Jim coached Little League baseball teams B&B Stores and A&W Root Beer, enjoying that time with many young boys including his son, Danny, whom he got to coach and his daughter Wendy who was the batgirl for B&B. He was also very active with Boy Scout Troop 33 as a leader for many years.

In 1966 he went to work for the Anaconda Aluminum Company in the maintenance department and retired from the Columbia Falls Aluminum company in 2006, celebrating 40 years. It was during this time that he became involved in the Aluminum Workers Trades Council, holding the offices of executive board member, president and secretary over a 20-year period. He was also a 35-year member of the Operating Engineers Local 400.

Jim enjoyed his New Orleans heritage with yearly “Seafood Fests” with his family. We flew fresh seafood in from New Orleans, set up picnic tables in the backyard with tablecloths and umbrellas, and fun was had by all.

Jim enjoyed boating and waterskiing. Some of his favorite times and those he mentions often were the times with his kids and pulling them and all of their friends around on skis. He had a grin from ear to ear. He enjoyed traveling around Montana, camping and fishing. He married Holly Hullett in 2018 and together they continued to travel and spent their winters in Arizona.

Jim was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Kalispell and served on the Session as an Elder.

He was preceded in death by his parents James L. and Jeanne F. Schmauch, and a grandson Garrett Adam.

He is survived by his daughter Wendelyn (Wendy) Dieziger and husband Creg of Kalispell; granddaughter Jordan Gilmour and husband Wyatt of Kalispell; his son Daniel Schmauch, wife Rochelle and their children and his granddaughters Teagan Schmauch, Peyton Schmauch and Huxley Schmauch, all of Missoula; and a sister Judi Gorton and her husband Dan of Kalispell.

Memorial services for Jim will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 5, at the First Presbyterian Church in Kalispell with Pastor Glenn Burfeind officiating, and a luncheon immediately following the service. There is no visitation. Urn burial will be at 1:30 p.m. at Glacier Memorial Gardens.

The family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Ronald McDonald Charity in honor of his grandson Garrett Adam.

Jim, Dad and Grandpa will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for Jim’s family.