James Henry Schmitz

James Henry Schmitz, 68, passed away peacefully at his home in Phoenixville August 29, 2026 with his wife Kathleen at his side.

Jim (Jimi) was the youngest child of Robert and Maria (Quitmeyer) Schmitz. He was born in Garden City, Michigan and grew up in the Detroit suburbs. As the child of an accomplished church musician and choir director (Mrs. Schmitz), Jim grew up surrounded by music and the Lutheran community. He trained in piano, drums and violin throughout his youth and although he denied it, was a very good singer who could pick out any harmony. Jim graduated high school in 1976 and attended Schoolcraft College and Wayne State University. He left college, however, for a professional music career. Jim played multiple instruments but primarily handled keyboards in numerous musical groups in the Detroit area throughout the 1980's. It was 1986 while he was gigging in St Thomas, USVI, that he met a young dancer from Philadelphia making her uncertain way in show business. Jim and Kathi met on a Back Street in St. Thomas and continued their long distance relationship for two years. However, life took them on separate paths in 1988 but they would later reunite in 2001 without missing a musical beat. Jim moved to Phoenixville, PA in 2002 and the couple married in 2003. Jim had retired from show business and moved into the construction/heavy equipment industry. He worked for T &M Asphalt Company in Michigan and joined Brubacher Excavating in Pennsylvania in 2003 where he enjoyed a 20 year career being part of the A Team.

Jim was a supportive and loving husband. He remained steadfast for Kathi throughout the grueling years of nursing school and engineered the entire plan for "bringing the horses home" in 2006.

Jim loved building up the Red Plow Farm where he and Kathi called home along with the numerous dogs, horses and cats that came and went over the years. Jim never complained when one horse died and another walked off the trailer the next day!

He loved the concerts he and Kathi attended over the years especially Eric Clapton and Peter Gabriel. Football season was his favorite time of year as he closely followed the Detroit Lions and Michigan college teams.

Jim enjoyed his trips with Kathi to Michigan and Iowa to see family. Lake George, NY became a favorite place of his as well as the wonderful trip to Key West in 2021.

Jim was pre-deceased by his parents, Robert and Maria Schmitz, his brother David Arthur Schmitz, his nephew and Godson, Nicholas C Studt, great nephews Jonathon and Benjamin Bochtler and brother-in- law Alfred Quasti Jr.

Jim is survived by his wife of 23 years, Kathleen Quasti Schmitz. His siblings, Roberta Bochtler, Joel Schmitz (Deborra) and Amy Studt (David Wayne).

He is survived by nieces and nephews: Ed, Christina, Beth, Eric, Tony, Jenny, Amy, Jeffrey, Jeremy and Tammy (his Tamila). He is also survived by his mother in law, Margaret Quasti, sister in law, Lisa Quasti and nephews Christopher and Kevin Quasti as well as numerous friends who loved to share a toast with Jim at the farm (Yo girl!).

He will be forever loved and never forgotten. To quote his sister Roberta: "Jim was a bundle of laughs and good humor. He was upbeat in everything he did from the drums to rocking the piano". In lieu of flowers please make donations in his name to the Brandywine Valley SPCA.

"My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever"