James Michael Schuman

James “Jim” Michael Schuman, 74, passed away Wednesday, July 31, 2024 after a short,
courageous battle with liver cancer.
Jim was born in Salinas, California on January 20, 1950. The family moved often, from
California to Montana to Illinois and finally back to Billings, Montana, where Jim graduated
from Senior High before joining the United States Air Force. In the Air Force, Jim

James “Jim” Michael Schuman, 74, passed away Wednesday, July 31, 2024, after a short, courageous battle with liver cancer.

Jim was born in Salinas, California, on Jan. 20, 1950. The family moved often, from California to Montana to Illinois and finally back to Billings, where Jim graduated from Senior High before joining the United States Air Force. In the Air Force, Jim proudly served his country in Vietnam. He was honorably discharged in March of 1973.

Once out of the service, Jim attended Eastern Montana College, worked and enjoyed life. He could be found playing basketball or out on the town causing trouble with his brothers. One of those nights on the town led to him meeting his future bride, Norma. Jim and Norma were married on Aug. 13, 1980. Andrew, Chris, and Lyndi came along in 1982, 1984 and 1986 respectively. Jim worked so hard to provide his kids with every opportunity he never had, sometimes working three jobs, while still managing to coach baseball.

Jim worked at the Yellowstone County Detention Facility for 25 years. We joked that he finally got out of jail on April 30, 2013. Not only did YCDF provide a paycheck, it provided endless stories, some of which we heard many, many, many times. At social gatherings, you could always count on at least a few jail stories to keep the crowd laughing. Jim was a great storyteller and we will miss his stories terribly.

Upon his retirement, Jim got to step into the job he was made for, owner/manager of Grandpa’s Daycare. He took care of his five grandsons, feeding bottles, changing diapers, feeding lunches, watching movies (both the kids’ movies and Grandpa’s black and whites), going rock-a-bye, taking naps (both the kids and Grandpa), driving to and from school, and a million other things, while their parents worked. The time and experiences shared will be treasured by his boys for a lifetime.

Jim was a tough man who beat non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma during the height of Covid. He also conquered two separate bouts with skin cancer. Unfortunately, an aggressive form of liver cancer was discovered on July 18 and took him from us just 13 days later. He passed away peacefully on the evening of July 31, 2024, surrounded by his family.

Jim was preceded in death by his grandparents, Ellen and C.L. Anderson; his mother, Naomi Schuman; mother-in-law, Clarice Hert; father-in-law, Floyd Hert; sister, Susan Schuman; nephews Matthew and Tyler Schuman; and brother-in-law Dave Hill.

He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Norma; sons Andrew (Anna) and Chris (Ashley); daughter, Lyndi (Ryan); grandchildren, Skylar, Brayden, Casey, Jacob, William, Violet, Kellynn, Logan, Landyn, Jaxon, and Parker. Jim is also survived by his brothers David (Connie), Gene (Bobbie), John (Barb), Tim (Desi) and Tom (Patrice). He is survived by sisters and brothers-in-law, Kathy (Reuben), Elaine, Jerry (Melissa), Teri (Doug), Greg (Helen) and Mike (Beckie). Jim is survived by many nieces and nephews and countless friends.

We will celebrate Jim’s life at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 6, at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, 2055 Woody Drive, Billings. Following the celebration of life, Jim will receive full military honors at the Yellowstone National Cemetery, 55 Buffalo Trail Road, Laurel, at 12 noon. A reception will follow.

proudly served his country in Vietnam. He was honorably discharged in March of 1973.
Once out of the service, Jim attended Eastern Montana College, worked, and enjoyed life.
He could be found playing basketball or out on the town causing trouble with his brothers.
One of those nights on the town led to him meeting his future bride, Norma. Jim and
Norma were married on August 13, 1980. Andrew, Chris, and Lyndi came along in 1982,
1984, and 1986 respectively. Jim worked so hard to provide his kids with every opportunity
he never had, sometimes working 3 jobs, while still managing to coach baseball.
Jim worked at the Yellowstone County Detention Facility for 25 years. We joked that he
finally got out of jail on April 30, 2013. Not only did YCDF provide a paycheck, it provided
endless stories, some of which we heard many, many, many times. At social gatherings you
could always count on at least a few jail stories to keep the crowd laughing. Jim was a
great storyteller and we will miss his stories terribly.
Upon his retirement, Jim got to step into the job he was made for, owner/manager of
Grandpa’s Daycare. He took care of his five grandsons, feeding bottles, changing diapers,
feeding lunches, watching movies (both the kids’ movies and Grandpa’s black and whites),
going rock-a-by, taking naps (both the kids and Grandpa), driving to and from school, and a
million other things, while their parents worked. The time and experiences shared will be
treasured by his boys for a lifetime.
Jim was a tough man, who beat non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma during the height of Covid. He also
conquered two separate bouts with skin cancer. Unfortunately, an aggressive form of liver
cancer was discovered on July 18 and took him from us just 13 days later. He passed away
peacefully on the evening of July 31, 2024, surrounded by his family.
Jim was preceded in death by his grandparents, Ellen and C.L. Anderson, his mother, Naomi
Schuman, mother-in-law, Clarice Hert, father-in-law, Floyd Hert, sister, Susan Schuman,
nephews Matthew and Tyler Schuman, and brother-in-law Dave Hill.
He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Norma, sons Andrew (Anna), and Chris (Ashley),
daughter, Lyndi (Ryan), grandchildren, Skylar, Brayden, Casey, Jacob, William, Violet,
Kellynn, Logan, Landyn, Jaxon, and Parker. Jim is also survived by his brothers David
(Connie), Gene (Bobbie), John (Barb), Tim (Desi), and Tom (Patrice). He is survived by
sisters and brothers-in-law, Kathy (Reuben), Elaine, Jerry (Melissa), Teri (Doug), Greg
(Helen), and Mike (Beckie). Jim is survived by many nieces and nephews and countless
friends.
We will celebrate Jim’s life on Tuesday, August 6, 2024 at 10 am at St. Thomas the
Apostle Catholic Church, 2055 Woody Dr. Billings, MT 59102. Following the celebration of
life Jim will receive full military honors at the Yellowstone National Cemetery, 55 Buffalo
Trail Rd. Laurel, MT 59044 at 12 pm. A reception will follow.