James R. “Jim” Shumaker, age 81, formerly of New Richmond, Wisconsin, passed away on September 10, 2022 at Pine Ridge Assisted Living, in Hudson, Wisconsin.  Jim was born on January 20, 1941 to Harold and Elizabeth “Virginia” (Kinkead) Shumaker, in Spencer, Iowa.  He grew up in the Okoboji lakes area of Iowa, graduating from Arnolds Park High School in 1959 and meeting the love of his life, Cheri (Lockey) Shumaker.  Jim and Cheri were married August 22, 1964 and had three boys.

Jim served in the United States Air Force, stationed at Incirlik Air Base in Turkey and Minot Air Base, during the height of the Cold War.  Later, he had a long career with 3M in St. Paul, Minnesota as a computer systems analyst.

In Okoboji, he developed his love of water and wildlife, which he experienced as a fisherman, hunter and photographer.  His wildlife photography spanned birds, otters, deer, and an occasional bear, but his clear favorites were eagles and swans.  Jim also enjoyed attending and photographing air shows (with the Blue Angels and Thunderbirds), hot rod shows (preferring the models from the 50’s), and his boys’ high school athletic events.

He loved to travel throughout the United States and Canada with Cheri on his Gold Wing motorcycle, taking in beautiful scenery and sampling tasty roadside food.  As the Shumaker family grill master, he and his trusty Weber were the stars of many family gatherings.  Jim was also a big fan of 50’s rock and roll, country and the blues, instilling an appreciation of music in his boys.

Jim will be dearly missed by his wife, Cheri, his children Steven (Monika) Shumaker and David (Michelle) Shumaker, his sister Sally Shumaker, his daughter-in-law Andrea (Mike) Shumaker, his grandchildren Heather (Jacob) Moulton, Rachel (Gunnar Clancy) Shumaker, Eric Shumaker, Sam Shumaker, Carolyn Shumaker and Max Shumaker, his great granddaughter, Kennedy Clancy, and many other family and friends.  He was preceded in death by his parents, his son Mike (Andrea) Shumaker, and his sister Carol (Marvin) Mikesh.

A small private celebration of life will be held for Jim in the near future.