Murphys, CA…James Schonert was transferred to heaven on April 11th 2025 at the age of 92. Where he will live eternally with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Jim was a longtime member of Big Trees Community Bible Church and a teacher at Bret Harte High School for 20 years. He taught mostly wood shop, drafting and computer drafting but his main love was his construction class where students built complete homes.
Jim was born in Gowrie Iowa and was one of 10 children. He was a proud Navy veteran, serving on aircraft carriers the Boxer and the Bon Homme Richard during the Korean War. Jim met his wife Rosemary while in the Navy in San Diego. They lived there many years before moving to Hathaway Pines and for the past 12 years at Murphys Diggins in Murphys.
Jim and his wife of 70 years, Rosemary have 5 children, David, Brian(Hannah) ,Susan(Keri), Michael(Rani), John and many grandchildren and great grandchildren.
A celebration of Jim’s life will be held Saturday, May 17 at 11.00 am.at BigTrees Community Bible Church, Blagen Road in Arnold.. A pancake brunch in honor of Jim’s many times servings pancakes will follow. Please no flowers. Memorial gifts may be made to either Bret Harte High School as a scholarship for a student in the Industrial Arts or to Maisha Mapya a school for children of the dump community in Kenya Africa.
James Schonert Passes Away at 92. Services on May 17th added by admin on
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Mr. Schonert will forever be a Bullfrog Icon who assisted in shaping the minds of many area Contractors/Draftsman with his love of Construction ROP he enabled us to build an on-site Modular Home at Bret Harte that sold and facilitated the only site-built spec home built by the ROP
Jim was a great teacher! Full of knowledge, ready to assist young men and women in the trades! Those were the “great” years at BH! Mr, Schonert, Mr. Clements, Mrs. Clements, Jan Schulz, all taught with gusto and knowledge, thanks to all, I know I left some people out, but we were blessed!
I left out, “He was a veteran”, more than you can say for the other 99% of American men that never served! More important than any of his earthly honors, Jim knew where his eternity would be. Just think about it, Jim will be celebrating Easter in his new home in HEAVEN!
I love you Grandpa. Thank you for the love and wisdom throughout the years and thank you for raising awesome kids who learned from you and Grandma to raise us well too.
Till we see each other again,
Peter