Cover photo for James Shuler's Obituary
James Shuler Profile Photo
1944 James 2022

James Shuler

August 12, 1944 — April 5, 2022

James Leon Shuler, died on Tuesday, April 5, 2022, at the age of 77. His family called him Jimmy, others called him Coach or Jim and those who had his heart called him Pa or Crypa.

Jim faced many health problems related to his lungs and passed away at home, two days after an emergency appendectomy. Ironically all his pre-op blood work and tests, showed he was healthier than he had been over the last few years. He was proud of the fitness level he achieved while battling COPD. It was important for him to work hard so that he could enjoy more time with his grandchildren, family and perhaps even some golf.

Jim was born at a healthy weight of almost 11 pounds to Lillian and William Shuler in San Antonio.  The second of six siblings, Jim grew up in a busy household of four boys and twin sisters. He started school not knowing how to read or write but by the end of the year he was acting as a mentor to others struggling in the class. This experience foreshadowed his time as a coach and educator. Even as a child, Jim was driven, determined and did not shy away from hard work.  He excelled as a well-rounded athlete and played organized baseball and a lot of basketball. His dad put a goal in their yard where he worked to perfect his shot to the point that area had no grass left. As a teen, he would get home in the evening and shoot at least 1,000 shots before bed.
He went on to graduate from Sam Houston High School where he played basketball and holds the school record for the most points scored in a game. Jim spent his freshman year of college at Trinity University. That summer Coach Frost arranged for Jim to be a camp counselor at Camp Ridgecrest in North Carolina. This experience as a counselor was very influential and had a major impact on his future. Jim’s talents in basketball as a tall, quick, left-handed player with a mean jump shot were recognized. Carson Newman College recruited him to their team where he received his bachelor’s degree. During his college years Jim received many awards and honors. He was elected to represent the student body as Mr. Carson Newman and was also named as an All-American in 1966. Later in 2013, Jim was included on Carson Newman’s Team of the Century. He later earned his master’s degree from Our Lady of the Lake.

After college, Jim was hired at Jefferson High School as a biology teacher and to coach JV football and basketball. As a young Head Basketball Coach, Jim took their team to the state tournament. Shortly thereafter he started his career at Texas Lutheran University as the head basketball coach and married Linda. They soon became a family of four with Mark (from a previous marriage) and having a daughter, Andrea.  He then went on to coach at Hardin Simmons where he had another son named, Tim. He later moved to Judson High School, taking another team to the state quarter finals. In 1984, he returned to Texas Lutheran where he stayed until he retired from coaching with a career of more than 500 wins, 200 more wins than any other TLU head basketball coach. Here he was awarded the Distinguished Faculty Award and earned a spot in the Athletic Hall of Fame. The Texas Lutheran Basketball Court is now named in his honor. Jim coached many kids throughout the years and was very proud of them.  It was important for Coach to see kids graduate and become well rounded both personally and professionally. His considered his players were an extension of the family. Their losses were his losses, and their wins were celebrated.

Jim is survived by his wife of 48 years, Linda; his son Mark; their daughter Andrea Coats and her husband, Steven and their daughters, Stevie and Lauren; their son Tim Shuler and his wife Donna and their children Dalton, Julianna, Hazel and Flynn; 3 brothers, Allen (Donna), Larry (Laura), and Gary (Carol), and two sisters, Sheila and (John) Peden and Sharla.

Jim had many interests and accomplishments throughout his life. He loved fishing with his dad and brothers. Golf was a constant in his life and was a member Northcliffe Country Club which provided many memorable summers for the entire family golfing and swimming. Jim was always an avid golfer and enjoyed playing out in Devine with his brothers. He also started several businesses buying and selling baseball cards and antiques.

In his later years, Jim’s interests shifted to his grandchildren and helping to shape and influence their lives. He fought for his health to see them grow up and wanted to hang around long enough to be remembered. From “shake, shake, break” or “putting you on the roof” to a beach or theme park adventure, Jim was trying to create memories with and for his family.

A Visitation will be held from 10:30 AM - 11:00 AM on Wednesday, April 13, 2022 at Triumphant Lutheran Church (21315 Bat Cave Rd. Garden Ridge, TX, 78266) with the Funeral Service beginning at 11:00 AM. The Interment will be held at St. John Lutheran Cemetery in Marion (100 W. Wetz Rd.) following the service.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to either the Tunnels to Towers Foundation or St. Jude's Children's Hospital .

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of James Shuler, please visit our flower store.

Service Schedule

Past Services

Visitation

Wednesday, April 13, 2022

10:30 - 11:00 am (Central time)

Triumphant Lutheran Church (Garden Ridge TX)

TX

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

Funeral Service

Wednesday, April 13, 2022

Starts at 11:00 am (Central time)

Triumphant Lutheran Church (Garden Ridge TX)

TX

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

Interment

Wednesday, April 13, 2022

Starts at 5:40 pm (Central time)

St. John Lutheran Cemetery in Marion (Wetz Rd.))

TX

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

Guestbook

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors

Send Flowers

Send Flowers

Plant A Tree

Plant A Tree