James Jacob Schreiner, 95, born to Weltha Gordon and Frank Schreiner, a native of Columbus, OH was called home by our Heavenly Father on Thursday, December 28, 2023 while being surrounded by family and feeling the love of those who have admired and loved him.
He called El Paso, TX his home following a distinguished career in the U.S. military, serving in the United States Navy from 1946 to 1948 just at the end of WWII earning him the World War II Victory Medal as well as first National Defense Medal. In 1952, he began his second service during the Korean Conflict serving in multiple capacities in the United States Marine Corps. Jim served as part of the illustrious 7th Marines as an infantryman and became one of the Chosin Few in a campaign that became synonymous with Marine tenacity which fully defined his being. This frozen service earned him his Korean Service Medal, and Marine Combat Action Medal which he found to be an enormous sense of pride and after service research. Following the Korean Conflict he was selected to go into aviation where he gained the admiration of his fellow crews and the callsign “Herb”. Herb earned his wings of gold and served as an airborne Intercept operator on the F3D Skyknight, a navigator on the C-130 Hercules which took him as far as the ends of the world including the north and south pole, earning him his Antarctica Service Medal, and his most beloved assignment, as a Radar Intercept Officer on the mighty F-4B Phantom II, earning his Mach 2 pin, his distinguished flying medal, and Vietnam Service Medal. Jim retired in 1969 from a career full of accomplishment and ready for his next chapter in life.
Jim attended IBM school and then worked for Mummsen and Zork Hardware, before moving to Providence Memorial Hospital as a computer analyst. Jim retired from the industry in 2002 to a life of supposed relaxation and rest, which anyone that knew Jim knew was impossible due to his high drive and desire to improve all that he was involved in.
He was preceded by his parents, Frank and Weltha Schreiner; brother Frank; sisters, Faye and Frances and his son James Jr, all of which are now joined with him to guide him on to the next chapter.
Jim is survived by his beloved wife of 42 years whom he considered his whole world Rebeca; sister, Weltha; daughters, Adelaide, Kristine and Jean Jones (Steve); sons, James Michael, Paul (Leah); numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, as well as even great-great grandchildren, and his beloved dog Tayla, all of which will remember the joy that he brought into their lives and the important life lessons that he had shared.
Jim’s tenacity, stern demeanor, loving heart and willingness to give the shirt off his back is what those that remember him will thrive on for generations to come. He will remain immortal in the hearts of those that will remember him for eternity till they are rejoined with him on the day of judgment.
Visitation for Jim will be held Tuesday, January 9, 2024 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM with a rosary at 6:30 PM at Funeraria Del Angel Central, 3839 Montana Ave. Funeral mass will be Wednesday, January 10th at 12:00 PM at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church with interment to follow in Fort Bliss National Cemetery with military honors.
The Family asks all to honor Jim in their way. In lieu of flowers please make donations to the American Heart Association, the VFW, or your favorite charity.
