John James Schimmel, Sr.

John James Schimmel, Major (Ret.) U.S. Army, was a loving Husband, Father, Step-Father, Grandfather, Brother and Uncle. He is survived by his wife of 25 years, Shirley A. Schimmel; son John James (Jim) Schimmel, Jr. (Johanna), his children Nathan and Amilia Schimmel; daughter Kelly Schimmel Fink and her children Connor and Emma Fink; daughter Elizabeth Schimmel Connors (Chris); step-daughter Niki Ferguson Rousey (T) and her daughter Tirzah Rousey; sister Carol S. Fugate (Dan) and brother Paul G. Schimmel and many nieces and nephews. John was preceded in death by his brother Joseph A. Schimmel.

John was born in Washington, D.C. to Chester F. and Dorothy Kelly Schimmel and raised in Arlington, VA. He loved talking about and visiting his “hometown”. He particularly loved taking friends and family on bicycle tours of the city. He loved his country and collected patriotic symbols, especially eagles. One of his favorite Bible passages was Isaiah 40:31 “they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” He also loved Psalm 23:6, “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” This was their couple’s verse because Shirley once had a teacher who called her Shirley, Goodness and Mercy.

John’s motto was “Just Do It” and he always said he would rather wear out than rust out. He lived his life with passion, generosity, and compassion. His family was his world and he was so proud of all their accomplishments. He enjoyed all manner of games and competitions. In college he ran cross-country, and played tennis and basketball. As a young father, he coached several of his children’s sports teams and videotaped most of their events. As an adult he loved playing golf, riding bicycles, and geocaching.

John received an AA degree from Montreat (Anderson) College, a BA from Valdosta State University, and an MA from Central Michigan University.

John had a 20-year Army career as a Signal Officer. He talked of the “pinnacle of a mediocre career” when he was the Commander of the Army Communications Command in Saudi Arabia. After retiring from the Army, he started another 20+ year career as a Systems Engineer, IT Program Manager, and Director of Information Systems Security for various Government contractors. After retiring again, he went back to school and became certified to teach K-12 and was a substitute teacher for several years.

Donations in John’s honor can be made online, by choosing OTHER and noting: Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) Carroll Campbell Neuropathology Lab, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, or mailed to: 171 Ashley Avenue MSC 908, Charleston, SC 29425-9080 or to Hope Lutheran Church.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Hope Lutheran Church, 1400 Kennerly Road, Irmo, SC on March 25, 2023. Visitation will be at 2:00 pm followed by a Funeral Service at 3:00 pm.

Details on interment at Arlington National Cemetery and A Celebration of Life in Northern Virginia will be forthcoming.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.dunbarfuneralhomedutchfork.com for the Schimmel family.