James W. Schwerdtfeger

Mr. James W. Schwerdtfeger, age 84 years, of Jefferson City, Mo., passed away Friday, March 28, 2014, at Jefferson City Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. Jim was born on August 24, 1929, in Jefferson City, Mo., the third child of Andrew William and Luvina M. Oldfield Schwerdtfeger. He was married on November 4, 1950, in Unionville, Mo., to Bonnie Lee Ryals, who preceded him in death on August 5, 2002. A lifelong resident of the central Missouri area, Jim was a 1947 graduate of Jefferson City High School where he lettered in football, track and swimming. He received an Associate's degree from Jefferson City Junior College in 1949 and attended the University of Missouri at Rolla and the University of Missouri at Columbia studying civil engineering. Jim began his career with the Missouri Highway Department as a summer laborer from 1947-1950. After college and his attainment of the Civil Engineer certification, he started working full time with the Missouri Highway Department and held positions in urban design, design and construction and surveys and plans. He retired with the department after 35 years as an Urban Highway Design Engineer in September, 1985. After retiring from the highway department, Jim continued to serve as a consultant for both the Department of Natural Resources and the Department of Design and Construction. Jim loved to draft custom plans for many of the fine homes built in Jefferson City. Jim was very proud of his participation with the Boy Scouts of America, attaining the rank of Eagle Scout in 1946 and attending Philmont Scout Ranch. He remained actively involved in scouting as a Scout Master of Troop 1 with the First United Methodist Church. He was a member of both the National Society of Professional Engineers and the Missouri Society of Professional Engineers. He was an active member of the First United Methodist Church serving as an usher for over 30 years. Jim was a true craftsman using his cadre of skills, along with Bonnie's talents, to design and build all of their family homes. He enjoyed planning and traveling from coast to coast on camping family vacations, antiquing and traveling internationally with Bonnie after his retirement, trout fishing at Bennett Springs State Park, and volunteering for the River City Habitat for Humanity Restore. Survivors include: one son, Andrew Lee Schwerdtfeger and his wife Mary Beth of Fayetteville, Ark.; three daughters, Cynthia Ann Anderson and her husband Jonathen of Columbia, Mo., Jill Leslie McDonald and her partner David Gregg of Jefferson City, Mo., and Sara Kristen Hartford and her husband Robert of Pierre, S.D.; a sister, Nancy Ulmer and her husband David of Green Valley, Ariz.; a step-brother, Louis Spaunhorst of Lenexa, Kan.; his mother-in-law, Delphia Morgan of Jefferson City, Mo.; and seven grandchildren, Andrew James Schwerdtfeger, Nathaniel Gregory McDonald, Mary Agnes Lester, Melissa Ann Anderson, Amanda Ryals Moore, Adam Lee Anderson and Shannon Elisabeth McDonald; and seven great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his mother, Luvina in 1937; his father, Andrew William in 1953; his beloved wife of 51 years, Bonnie in 2002; one brother, Thomas Schwerdtfeger in 1927; his step-mother, Minnie Spaunhorst Schwerdtfeger in 1989; one grandson, Christopher John Schwerdtfeger in 1980; and a great- grandson, August James McDonald in 2012. Visitation will be held at the First United Methodist Church from 10:30 a.m. until 12:00 noon, Wednesday, April 2, 2014. A memorial service will be held at 12:00 noon, Wednesday, April 2, 2014, at the First United Methodist Church with the Reverend Daniel Hilty and the Reverend Jeannie Martin-Dudenhoeffer officiating. Private graveside services and entombment will be held in the Mausoleum of Riverview Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the River City Habitat for Humanity Restore or the First United Methodist Church. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Freeman Mortuary. www.freemanmortuary.com