James Harrison Schwartzburg
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June 13, 1932 – November 4, 2023
James (Jim) Harrison Schwartzburg passed away on November 4, 2023 surrounded by his loved ones. Jim was born to Frederick and Florence Schwartzburg in Miami Beach, Florida on June 13, 1932. Although times were tough, Jim managed to have an idyllic childhood with his two brothers, Rick and David (both deceased) roaming the beaches, swimming, fishing and catching stone crabs. As the Miami Beach High quarterback, Jim was named an All-American and earned the nicknames “Wonder Boy” and “Typhoon Terror.” His legend lives on in their Hall of Fame. Jim attended the University of Florida, where he continued his football career and studies earning a BS in Business Administration. Up for a challenge, Jim was called upon one day when the Gators needed a substitute for their injured center. It was a big game, as they were taking on Bart Starr and the Crimson Tide. Jim put his all into this new position and earned SEC player of the week for his efforts.
This fearless attitude and enthusiasm to try new things carried on throughout his life. After a brief stint in the army, Jim headed to Kansas City where in 1963 he met and married a beautiful TWA flight attendant from California, Bonnie Clause. After brief employment at Skelly Oil, Jim discovered his passion, plastic injection molding. He started his career at Avsco, Inc. in Excelsior Springs, Missouri. While there, Jim developed products including the 8-Track tape and became Vice President of Sales. In 1968, Jim decided to venture out on his own and founded Packer Plastics, Inc. in Lawrence, Kansas. Packer’s original focus was manufacturing food packaging containers. Over the years, its product line expanded to include the first souvenir cups, housewares and lawn and garden products, also adding printing machines to decorate those products. While there, Jim pioneered the code used to sort and separate plastics for recycling. He was very proud to care for his employees and had an open-door policy. Jim decided to sell Packer in 1997 to Berry Global and was proud to see the company continue to grow and enhance the town of Lawrence and many of its residents.
With a passionate, entrepreneurial spirit, Jim continued to be active in business. He founded Jet Printers and was passionate about this project and its potential. Jim was a leader both at home and in his community. Family and friends sought Jim out for advice. He was a mentor to many and was always willing to help. Jim served on multiple boards and had varied charitable interests, including Family Promise, Habitat for Humanity, Lawrence Memorial Hospital and Flint Hill Technology College to name a few. Additionally, he funded an Entrepreneurship Scholarship at Emporia State University.
Jim never met a stranger. Friends were very important to him. He and Bonnie opened their home in Lawrence and cabin in Wisconsin to Jim’s large group of eclectic and devoted friends. He was always eager to share what he loved with others.
Jim’s mind never rested. He was always eager to learn and see what the next great thing might be. Whether it was learning about new energy sources, researching stocks or reading about politics, Jim studied and loved to converse and debate about all he had learned. His many interests included flying airplanes, picking berries, growing fruit and enjoying the Northwoods of Wisconsin, but mostly spending time with his family. Jim loved watching his grandchildren grow and always wanted to spend time showing them all the beauty he saw in the world.
Jim leaves behind a well-loved family. Wife, Bonnie, two daughters Amy Wright (John) and Sue Mills (Tom), and son, Jimmy Schwartzburg, six grandchildren, Samantha Benitez (George), Charlie Wright, Annie Wright, Katie Wright, Holly Mills and Grace Mills. He will be greatly missed, but not forgotten.
A Celebration of Life will be held at Plymouth Congressional Church on November 17, 2023 at 11 am followed by a reception at Lawrence Country Club.
Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to Family Promise, PO Box 1516, Lawrence, KS 66044 or may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary, 120 W. 13th Street, Lawrence, KS 66044.
Hugs to you and your family, Sue.
Joe, Jaana, Riley and Leah Bowers
I’m so glad I got to be in the company of this force of nature! He definitely left his mark on this world and will be missed. We send our deepest condolences.
Love, Nancy, Brian & Lila Travis
Bonnie: Our thoughts are with you and your entire family during this time. George and I were just talking about you and Jim a couple of weeks ago, I told him he needed to go by and visit. I guess he thought he needed to bring you “vegetables” so you would excuse the unannounced drop in. George enjoyed dropping by to talk with Jim about old times at Packer and their love for being outside. Jim will be in our hearts forever. We are here if you should ever need us.
George and Bonnye Hadl
Bonnie,
We are so sorry to learn of Jim’s death. Jim was such a special man. We will miss seeing him on the road at Island Lake. Jim’s obiturary describes what a fascinating man he was. I’ll write to you soon.
Janie and Dan Russell
Bonnie and family. Our hearts go out to you. Jim was a very good friend, great Bussiness Partner and companion pilot to me. We had some great trips together. And I will always remember them and Jim with great and wonderful memories. We will miss him.
Jim was a very kind and caring person I loved working for him when I was at packer plastics i miss his laugh
Talk about a life well lived. Uncle Jim did it all. I can’t think of a more interesting and interested man that I’ve crossed paths with. I wish I was more thoughtful and aware of who he was and what he had to offer a troubled kid like me back in the day. Well there are no do overs. It was good to hear his voice and laughter a few months back…he sounded just like he always did. Asked about about the past 20 years, brought up some memories from 40+ years ago. A rare man who I’ll always carry in my heart. Condolences auntie and cousins. Godspeed and I’ll see you in heaven Uncle Jim.
I’m sorry for your loss Jim was a great man and will very much missed. I know when talking with him he would be asking a question before you got the first one answered.and I remember having two machines down so they could work on little derby car for little Jim.He was a great man.my thoughts go out to the whole family
Bonnie and Family you have my deepest condolences on the passing of Jim. It was a pleasure to get to know Jim these past 12 years. I always looked forward to our phone conversations discussing not only the stock market, but LIFE. He taught me many good lessons over the years, and the office will not be the same without his energetic personality walking through the front door. I will cherish all of the good memories made and remember a life well lived. My family will always here if you need anything!
Kyle, Stephanie, Connor & Nolan Cross
So sorry to hear of Jim’s passing. He was such a great guy, worked for him at Packer Plastics years ago. He used to come see John Hadl and they had such a good friendship, I’m sure that he and John are up there having a grand old time! Thoughts and prayers to the family.
We are in denial. Jim was larger than life and parting from his company was always difficult. Bonnie and Jim are always a delight to be around. We pray for Gods strength for the entire family but especially for our dear friend Bonnie. You did all that you could to extend his life and make the quality the best it could be. We love you so much.
Jim was an engaging and enjoyable person to be around. He had a great sense of humor, a quick wit, and a kind heart. I will miss him. Bonnie, may God’s love and fond memories of Jim provide you and your family peace.
Such a life well lived, full of excitement, risk rewarded, family and love, we should all be so fortunate. Bonnie, you and Jim played a big role in Lori and I taking a risk bringing our family to Lawrence, that decision has been rewarded many times over and with great friends like the two of you. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family as you grieve for your lost “Wonder Boy”.
My guess is Jim was fascinated with the world from the moment his eyes could focus as he looked out at it from his first vantage point: the windowsill that served as his first bedroom. His mind was always working on identifying the next development that would make the world a better place. What a great conversationalist and so proud of his family, from Bonnie to children to grandchildren. Loved all the laughs we shared, first in person and then over the phone after moving from Lawrence. Jim was super fired-up about the job Lance Leipold is doing with KU football, and with good reason. Jim made the world a better place and from the way he talked about his grandchildren, I’m sure they’ll do the same. He was a great friend I’ll miss every day.
Jim was such a fun loving father. I enjoyed time spent at your home and when he would take us girls to the lake. He was always so kind to my mother. I was fortunate to know him. Praying for your hearts to heal.
Hi Bonnie, Amy, Sue, and Jimmy
I have known Jim for about eight or nine years. I met his at a breakfast in Ft. Myers with Liston Bochette. We also went boating one time. Your dad, husband, always made time to talk with me. He was always trying to get me to make “Plastic” boats, because that was his thing, plastic. I did not want to make “Plastic” boats. I am a fiberglass guy.
He always made time or returned calls for me. I always greatly appreciated that and when he found out that my son and I built a ramp for a guy with one leg stuck in a wheel chair, with a three and a half foot elevated front door. He sent me a check to offset the costs. I did not ask for it, he simply wanted to be part of the blessing. I respected that.
I was always trying to get him to finance part of my next world record boat. He wasn’t going to do it, yet, he still took the time to talk to me, over and over and over again. That was super first class. He was always interesting to talk with and I will miss him, greatly.
Ralph Brown
Hi Bonnie, Amy, Sue, and Jimmy
I have known Jim for about eight or nine years. I met him at a breakfast in Ft. Myers, Florida, with Liston Bochette. We also went boating one time. Your dad/ husband, always made time to talk with me. He was always trying to get me to make “Plastic” boats, because that was his thing, “plastic”. I did not want to make “Plastic” boats. I am a fiberglass guy.
When he found out that my son and I built a 25 foot wheelchair ramp for a one legged guy, stuck in a wheelchair, with a three and a half foot elevated front door, he sent me a check to offset the costs. I did not ask for it, he simply wanted to be part of the blessing. I respected that.
I always greatly appreciated that the way he always made time or returned phone calls, he knew I was going to ask him to finance part of my next world record boat. He told me “no” many times and he knew he wasn’t going to do it, yet, he still took the time to talk to me, over and over and over again. That was super first class. He was always interesting to talk with and I will miss him, greatly.
Ralph Brown