OUTSTANDING ATHLETE / DISTINGUISHED SERVICE

Induction Year: 2005 | Graduation Year: 1952

Jim was born March 2, 1934 in Greene County, Ohio, the son of Wilbur and Edna (Semler) Schildknecht. Jim and his family moved into the Tecumseh Local School District in 1937, where he was a lifetime resident.

Jim was a very active child; if he wasn't involved in sports, you would find him fishing, hunting, running traps, mushroom hunting or perhaps playing a practical joke on friends, family or teachers.

Jim graduated from Tecumseh High School in 1952. His class was the first class to graduate from Tecumseh, although they didn't attend the new school. His high school days were spent at Olive Branch High School. While attending Olive Branch Jim was a varsity basketball, and varsity baseball starter all three years, as well as a three-time letterman in track. During the summer of 1951 Jim attended a baseball camp in the Ozark Mountains of Missouri with the intention of improving his baseball skills for professional baseball.

Jim attended Florence State Teachers College in Florence Alabama his first year after high school, working hard at a degree in tennis, photography, fencing and fun. He then returned to the New Carlisle area and began a lifelong career as a carpenter. Jim took to carpentry quite well as he became a Master Carpenter and a Construction Superintendent. He worked on many major building projects, most notable being the new Dayton Post Office building which was built under his supervision and management. He was also supervisor over new schools in the Kings Mills area as well as supervisor on many hotels in the Dayton area.

Jim married Marilyn Rees on February 18, 1954. They had four daughters; Jamie, Kim, Kit and Kelly. They lost Jamie at a very early age. While the other three girls were growing up, they were often seen tagging along with their Dad; trapping, fishing, hunting, shooting or playing ball.Kim, Kit, and Kelly are all Tecumseh graduates. Jim and Marilyn have six grandchildren, Christopher, Nicole, Zachary, Courtney, Jesse and Heather. Zachary and Courtney are also Tecumseh graduates. Jim could always be found enjoying watching his children and grandchildren in whatever activity they were involved in.

Jim's love for sports and the outdoors stayed with him all throughout his life. After high school, Jim stayed very active in baseball. He played slow pitch softball, fast pitch softball as well as American Legion Baseball for many years. He never quit fishing, hunting, enjoying the great outdoors, or a great game of cards. It was a great joy for him to teach his grandchildren to fish, hunt and sometimes sharing his secret mushroom spots. His grandchildren were very fortunate to have him to pass on his love of life.

Jim was very active in the community throughout his life. He was very supportive of the Tecumseh Athletic Boosters. He worked on the "Chain Gang" for many years. Jim helped build the old block construction bleachers, and was at the new athletic training facility nearly every day until it was completed. Jim also enjoyed working at the Nutter Center for the boosters.

Jim was a founding member and Past President of the New Carlisle Sportsmen Club, where he was very involved in the building of the existing log facility. He was a member of the Medway Methodist Church for many years, before moving to Donnelscreek Church of the Brethren. Jim truly enjoyed his volunteer work at Mercy Medical Center, saying "it's nice to help people who are in worse shape than me!"

Jim sadly passed away on July 4th, 2001. He is greatly missed by his family and friends. He was just one of those guys that most people liked the very first time you ever met him. He was a person who never sought personal recognition or individual attention and loved to help anyone he could within his power, especially those who would help themselves.