Riley 1969 James Allen Schmuhl

June 12, 1950 - Oct. 19, 2017

SEATTLE, WA - Jim Schmuhl, age 67, died peacefully on October 19 at Mount Saint Vincent Hospice Care in Seattle after a long illness. He was born on June 12, 1950 to Donald and Frances (Ham) Schmuhl in South Bend, Indiana. Jim is survived by his brother, Don Schmuhl (Rebecca) of Bloomington, Indiana, daughter Bridget Wojtowicz and her mother Ruth both of Seattle, close friend and caregiver Sarah Wilt of Seattle, T.P., Thornton Perry of Seattle, and fellow coach Tom Brassil of California. Also high school friends Phil and Shelia Kennedy, Mark Gershoffer and Mike Taylor all of South Bend, two aunts and cousins in South Bend and Ft. Wayne also survive.

Jim was preceded in death by both parents, and his two dogs, Ozzie and Oscar.

Jim graduated in 1969 from Riley High School in South Bend where he played on the football, basketball and track teams. He attended IU Bloomington, and played football at Walla Walla Jr. College and Grand Valley State. He assisted coaching the IUSB basketball team and landed his first head basketball job at O'Dea High School in Seattle. Jim coached the O'Dea Irish from 1982 to 1986, compiling a record of 79-33 in five seasons. He left to join the staff of a professional football team in Italy for a year. Jim returned to the U.S. and became assistant basketball coach at Bloomington South High School for the 1986/87 season. That team went to the Sweet 16. He then returned to Seattle and was assistant coach at Edmonds Community College. He also worked for the University of Washington as a tutor for UW basketball. Jim also coached at West Seattle, Fife, and Roosevelt High Schools in Seattle. After coaching he taught History classes in the Seattle School District, retiring in 2015.

Jim was an avid UW, Seattle Seahawks, Indiana University and Cubs fan.

The Columbia Funeral Home in Seattle is in charge of local arrangements. Cremation has taken place in accordance with Jim's wishes. A Memorial is planned on Saturday, October 28th in Seattle.

In lieu of flowers we suggest a contribution to your local animal shelter.

Rest In Peace Jim, our lives will never be the same without you.

Published in South Bend Tribune on Oct. 24, 2017

jmc 24 oct 2017