James H. Schiff (Jimmy) was born on September 24, 1945, and died on June 14, 2023, in Washington, D.C. A graduate of Southern Methodist University in Dallas with a master’s degree in finance, he was an independent businessman with interests in commercial real estate, insurance, oil and gas production, and the hospitality industry. He retired in 2015 as the Vice President of Provident Communications, Inc., with offices in Washington, D.C., and Dallas. He was also involved in the development, sales, and property management of retail shopping centers and as a principal in the start-up and development of several life and health insurance companies. Mr. Schiff served on the Board of Directors of Kerens Oil Company and the restaurant group Dick's Last Resort, both based in Dallas, as well as The Gibraltar Group Insurance Company. He was actively involved both as a board member and fundraiser for the United Way, the YMCA, YMCA Camp Grady Spruce, and the National Chapter Multiple Sclerosis Society. Mr. Schiff was also an ardent supporter of the Dallas Theatre Center and the Dallas Civic Opera, as well as a member of The 500, a Dallas arts fundraising group.
On December 2, 1998, Mr. Schiff was appointed by President Bill Clinton as a member of the Advisory Committee on the Arts of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts which advises the Board of Trustees for the Center and makes recommendations regarding cultural activities to be featured at the center. Members of the Committee also assist in the Center's fundraising efforts and act as liaisons to performance groups and performing arts centers throughout the nation.
Mr. Schiff is survived by his wife, Debra Schiff of Washington, D.C., daughter, Kathryn L. Schiff of Ojai, California, and son, James H. Schiff, Jr. of Dallas, Texas. He is also survived by his brother, Steven S. Schiff and family of Dallas, Texas.
The family will hold a celebration of life in Washington, D.C. and in Dallas, Texas with dates to be determined. Expressions of condolences can be made at www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/washington-dc/james-schiff. In lieu of flowers, please send contributions to the following charities. http://givingpages.upenn.edu/schiffctcl.
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