JAMES P. SCHMALL
Deacon James P. Schmall, 81, passed away on October 12, 2018, after a long battle with cancer. Deacon Jim, as he was known to his family and friends, was born in Floyd County in northern Iowa, on November 22, 1936. He was raised on his family farm, and in 1956 enlisted in the United Sates Navy. While stationed at Great Lakes Naval Air station in Chicago he met his future bride, Burma Elizabeth Romano. After a short courtship, they married in Chicago on November 14, 1959 and embarked on a life of love and adventure that lasted nearly 59 years. Together they raised one daughter and five sons. After 20 years of service in the Navy, Jim retired in Millington and began working in the car industry, most notably the old Colvett Chrysler-Plymouth dealership located in Millington. In 1985, Jim was ordained a Deacon for the Catholic Diocese of Memphis in Tennessee. Deacon Jim was assigned to three parishes over the course of his thirty plus year ministry. St. William in Millington, St. Therese-LittleFlower in Memphis, and Our Lady of Sorrows in Frayser. Deacon Jim was also head of Campus Ministry for the University of Memphis and Rhodes College for several years. After retiring from active ministry in 2015, Deacon Jim and his wife traveled extensively, visiting relatives in Iowa, Las Vegas, Savannah, Georgia, Fort Meyers, Fla., among other places. In 2017 he and his wife realized a lifelong dream when they were able to visit Rome, Italy and Vatican City. Deacon Jim leaves behind his aforementioned wife of nearly 59 years, Burma, one daughter, Elizabeth Lubrani (Anthony) of Canyon Lake, Texas, and five sons, Deacon James A. Schmall (Lesa) and Michael Schmall (Ellen) of Millington, Robert Schmall (Linda) of Arlington, Roger Schmall of Fort Meyers, Fla., and David Schmall (Caryn) of Henderson, Nev., and one adopted daughter, Maria Holguin of Alpine, Texas. He leaves behind a legacy of 20 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by four sisters and one brother and many nieces and nephews. The family received friends Oct.16 at St. William Catholic Church. A mass of Christian Burial was held Wednesday at St. William Catholic Church. Interment with military honors was held at West Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery. The family wishes to thank all of our dear friends and family members who went out of their way to support us these past few weeks. Your love and prayers (and cooking) did not go unnoticed and was greatly appreciated. God bless you all. We would like to thank the nurses and caregivers at Methodist Home Hospice for their attentiveness and loving care in making Jim comfortable in his final weeks and days. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society. Munford Funeral Home Millington Chapel had charge.
