Obituary for James Theodore Schall
James Theodore Schall
September 24, 1927 – August 29, 2021
James Theodore Schall passed away on Orcas Island, WA on August 29, 2021. He was shy of 94 years old by only three weeks.
Jim lived an extraordinary life, climbing the mountains that he so dearly loved, sharing his passion for them with many. He recognized the lessons learned of oneself through climbing and was happiest while challenging himself with them.
Jim had a 30-year career as a high school physical education teacher in Kelso, Washington. He also coached cross country and wrestling, sharing lessons of self-discipline, and never giving up on oneself. He worked diligently on teaching these inner strength qualities, along with what was necessary on the mats and open-air courses. He had many students stay in contact with him throughout his life. As recently as June of 2021, more than 50 of his wrestlers gathered to honor him and share their thanks for inspiring them to live a life with no fears, to never give up and to strive to always do your best. The respect given was evident by everyone in the room. His love of wrestling was also shown in other ways such as starting the wrestling program at the University of Washington and a cultural exchange program with Japan. Jim was inducted into both the state and national Halls of Fame after winning many state championships. After his retirement, he lived in Japan for nine years, teaching English at a private school and homes, teaching physical education at a local YMCA, and continued cultural exchange programs.
Jim loved staying strong and fit. While teaching in Kelso, he would jog to and from work long before jogging became common. After his retirement, he would wake up at 3 every morning to go to a gym. He started competing in power lifting from age 70, holding the World records for his weight class in both the deadlift and bench press for many years.
He was a lieutenant in the army during the Korean War and was also a paratrooper. He didn’t talk about it much but preferred to talk about jazz or the latest book he’d read. He listened daily to the likes of the greatest jazz artists and read books on the deepest topics such as physics, philosophy, the universe, and of course his beloved mountains. Jim played drums, performing in a band as a young man. He also had a great love for cameras and photography. In his later years he found great joy in making ice cream, watching sumo wrestling, and following the Mariners and the Seahawks.
Jim’s sense of humor was unstoppable! He continually told jokes and kept people in stitches for his entire life. You couldn’t have a conversation with him without him slipping a joke in. He always kept people smiling. Jim loved people and people loved him. He had a charismatic personality that attracted many. Jim had a tremendous love of life and lived it to the fullest.
He was preceded in death by his mother Matona Parkkinen, his father George H. Schall, his brother Herb Schall and his nephew Butch Schall. He is survived by his wife Yoko Ogawa and his daughters Randi Gord of Woodinville, WA, and Donna Myers of Camano Island, WA.
His ashes will be taken to Mt. Rainier where he celebrated his 90th and 91st birthdays and where he wished to be.
Please no flowers at this time.
September 24, 1927 – August 29, 2021
James Theodore Schall passed away on Orcas Island, WA on August 29, 2021. He was shy of 94 years old by only three weeks.
Jim lived an extraordinary life, climbing the mountains that he so dearly loved, sharing his passion for them with many. He recognized the lessons learned of oneself through climbing and was happiest while challenging himself with them.
Jim had a 30-year career as a high school physical education teacher in Kelso, Washington. He also coached cross country and wrestling, sharing lessons of self-discipline, and never giving up on oneself. He worked diligently on teaching these inner strength qualities, along with what was necessary on the mats and open-air courses. He had many students stay in contact with him throughout his life. As recently as June of 2021, more than 50 of his wrestlers gathered to honor him and share their thanks for inspiring them to live a life with no fears, to never give up and to strive to always do your best. The respect given was evident by everyone in the room. His love of wrestling was also shown in other ways such as starting the wrestling program at the University of Washington and a cultural exchange program with Japan. Jim was inducted into both the state and national Halls of Fame after winning many state championships. After his retirement, he lived in Japan for nine years, teaching English at a private school and homes, teaching physical education at a local YMCA, and continued cultural exchange programs.
Jim loved staying strong and fit. While teaching in Kelso, he would jog to and from work long before jogging became common. After his retirement, he would wake up at 3 every morning to go to a gym. He started competing in power lifting from age 70, holding the World records for his weight class in both the deadlift and bench press for many years.
He was a lieutenant in the army during the Korean War and was also a paratrooper. He didn’t talk about it much but preferred to talk about jazz or the latest book he’d read. He listened daily to the likes of the greatest jazz artists and read books on the deepest topics such as physics, philosophy, the universe, and of course his beloved mountains. Jim played drums, performing in a band as a young man. He also had a great love for cameras and photography. In his later years he found great joy in making ice cream, watching sumo wrestling, and following the Mariners and the Seahawks.
Jim’s sense of humor was unstoppable! He continually told jokes and kept people in stitches for his entire life. You couldn’t have a conversation with him without him slipping a joke in. He always kept people smiling. Jim loved people and people loved him. He had a charismatic personality that attracted many. Jim had a tremendous love of life and lived it to the fullest.
He was preceded in death by his mother Matona Parkkinen, his father George H. Schall, his brother Herb Schall and his nephew Butch Schall. He is survived by his wife Yoko Ogawa and his daughters Randi Gord of Woodinville, WA, and Donna Myers of Camano Island, WA.
His ashes will be taken to Mt. Rainier where he celebrated his 90th and 91st birthdays and where he wished to be.
Please no flowers at this time.