James August Schumaker

Death date: Sep 9, 2020

James August Schumaker, 62, passed away on September 9, 2020 in Hilo, HI. Born on January 31, 1958 in Cass County, MO, he was a beloved mathematics professor at Hilo Community College for thirty years, taught for a number of years Read Obituary

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Jayden A Schumaker

145w ago

I have thought at length about what you would've wanted for me, the meaning behind the messages you conveyed.
But you were taken quickly, too quickly, from me and everyone. I know your thoughts and feelings were unfinished; that you had much to say, and that you couldn't communicate it all in your time allotted. I feel utterly remorseful. Though, this is not the feeling you would want upon me. It is not the fairytale ending we dreamt of, but I realize you would be inconceivably pissed if I were to stagnate because of it.

It is hard to continue carrying on, but I am glad I got to spend time with you. Snarky, proud, conceited, whatever the hell you want to call it, I miss you. You and your sophisticated sense of humor we shared. Your passions and stories, your monologues and lessons, our quirky games and interactions... All of it.

I can tell you had so much love for me, and you had difficulty expressing it. To be fair, I was a garbage rascal child, and I'm sorry for that, haha.
——But you loved me even so. I wish I were better, for the little time I had with you. If only you were here to see me now; how far I've come from where I started. I hope you would be proud of me, and maybe in good time, you can tell me how so. That's your queue to laugh satirically Dad.

Regardless, you'd want nothing more than for me to succeed and be happy. That much I do know. I wish you could be here to experience it with me, as I know you very much wanted to. With all my heart, I love you so much.

A Merry Christmas Eve to you, Dad, for the last one I missed with you.
And subsequently, a Merry Christmas to all my family in Hawaii.
I am grateful to you all, truly.

Your little rascal,
Jayden Schumaker

Les Howard

171w ago

I was very saddened to learn only yesterday of James' passing in 2020. We lived on the same block in Richardson, Texas through high school. We had a lot of fun playing football in our front yards and just hanging out. I had heard that James had made his home in Hawaii, and from the other tributes here, it sounds like it was a good life. I am very glad to learn that. I extend my condolences to all of his family, especially Cynthia and Mike, both of whom I also remember well.

Judy Puniwai

259w ago

I worked with James at Hawaii Community College. He always had a smile and was there to talk story. He was a great educator and will be missed. Will miss his smile!
Judy Puniwai

Grace Morita

260w ago

My ông nội—my grandfather—embraced me as his own granddaughter, though we were not biologically connected. He welcomed me in his home to dine at his table, and he never made me feel like anything less than his granddaughter.

I remember him as the keeper of memories, always ready with his camera. Spending time with him often meant a trip down memory lane on his camera roll or by watching a well-crafted slideshow.

I remember he would spend time with Jaden, Elisha, and me when we were kids. He used to read us this storybook called "The Grouchy Ladybug," except we knew it as "The Grouchy Gracie-Bug." I remember he was always willing to help me with my math homework. I remember him telling me he and my bà nội—my grandmother—were proud of me when I was getting ready to graduate from high school.

Ông nội, I love and miss you.

Love,
Grace

David White

262w ago

I have not seen James in since he moved to Hawaii. I was his mentor at Victoria College in Texas many years ago. We had the same humor and interests. I immediately liked him. He always said his dream was to move to Hawaii. He did. We stayed in touch over all these years. I noticed this morning that I had not heard from him in a while. No complaint, no stupid joke, no math story, no cartoon on Facebook, no picture of something he found beautiful. I found that he had passed. I am so sorry. My sympathies to all of his family. He was a good teacher and a good man. I will miss him.
David White

Mai

262w ago

I was very sadden to hear that James passed. I will always remember his smile and friendly greeting when I passed him in his office on my way to the Department office.
I will continue to remember him.

Mai

Jill A Savage

262w ago

To Le and all of James's family members I extend my deepest sympathy and most heartfelt condolences.
James was an esteemed colleague of mine for over 26 years. To the high standards he held himself, I know he likewise held his students. He was a dedicated teacher and provided a rich classroom experience. We have lost a bright star.
jill

Deseree

262w ago

So sorry to get this terrible mews last week. I can’t remember when I last saw him, but I know exactly what we said (because it was often the same). Walking by my office or me past his, there was always a little chin wag and a lot of laughs. He had a great perspective on work and life and I miss it already. My sympathy to his family.

Maris

262w ago

in honor of James.

Sending condolences to his family....so sorry for your loss. He was part of our HawCC-Liberal Arts Division for 20 years. His last visit to the office is when he stopped by a little before COVID started. That's the way I will hold him in my memory..smiling and happy.

A serene illustration of a lit pastel green candle with a small white blossom and a three-leaf sprig resting at its base, set against a soft green background.

Elisha

262w ago

Ongnoi was the only grandfather that was really in my life, and he was all I needed. He was always fun taking us on many cool adventures like watching the lave flow and even some in the back yard making cool stairs all along the cliff side. He inspired me to study hard and love math, now I am going into engineering because of his fantastic influence on me. I am very thankful that I was graced to have him apart of my life.

Jayden A Schumaker

145w ago

A Merry Christmas Eve to you, Dad, for the last one I missed with you.
And subsequently, a Merry Christmas to all my family in Hawaii.
I am grateful to you all, truly.

Your little rascal,
Jayden Schumaker

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