James Wayne Schlegel

Jim joined the Lord on July 8, 2021. Born September 27, 1943, in Austin, Texas, to Thespina Margos and Max Schlegel, Jim was a young man of great ambition, beginning with a paper route in Hyde Park at age 13. He worked his way through The University of Texas at Austin, studying late into the night after long shifts at 7 Eleven, graduating in 1964 with a degree in business administration. He moved to Dallas with Xerox Corporation, where he met Shirley Kolc, a flight attendant with Braniff Airways, and they married in 1969 in Dallas. Jim's sales career took the family to various cities, including Kansas City, Colorado Springs, Seattle and Sacramento. He commented often that he and Shirley loved their new experiences in these cities and were grateful for the opportunities to enjoy corporate trips around the country, including Europe, and forming lifelong memories and friendships along the way.

Jim achieved much success in sales, honing his skills in public speaking, sales training and recruiting. His 30 year sales career culminated with Capp Homes in Sacramento, California, after which time he relocated his family to Austin, settling in the neighborhood of Shady Hollow. He and Shirley were active members of Saint Catherine's Catholic Church, where Jim served as a leader in the Knights of Columbus, a lector and Eucharistic Minister and as President of the Church Fall Festival and Auction. A natural community leader, Jim also served as President of the Shady Hollow Homeowner's Association. Using his sales background, Jim began a second career in Austin as a commercial and residential realtor for ReMax and was a sales representative for LegalShield.

Jim is survived by his wife Shirley, children Amy Rice (Rob Roy) and Daniel Schlegel; sisters Nancy Jones, Donna Haschke (Gerald), Linda Summerlin, Beverly Schlegel, and Cathy Meek, many nieces, nephews, and cousins, his loving Aunt Catherine Campbell, and lifelong friends and neighbors.

To all who knew him, Jim was a charming, engaging, quick-witted guy who made friends easily. He had a twinkle in his eye, a big smile and rarely complained. First and foremost, Jim was a family man, a loving husband to Shirley for 52 years, and a caring father to Amy and Daniel. In his later years, beset with many physical issues, Jim received lots of care and continuous nagging from his five sisters, who provided constant care and trips to many doctors. Our family is eternally grateful to the many caring and devoted doctors who treated Jim. These loving angels never gave up on him, and neither did his family! He was loved until the end.

Jim's life and strong faith will be remembered with a Funeral Mass on Thursday, July 22, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Austin's Catholic Church, 2026 Guadalupe St., Austin, TX. A reception will follow at the church. Parking is available at the church parking lot at MLK and San Antonio Streets or under the school gym behind the church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Serenity Star Recovery, 111 NW lst St, Smithville 78957 (www.serenitystar.org).

Published on July 17, 2021. Austin American-Statesman

https://www.statesman.com/obituaries/p0125793