Mr. James Schuster

James Lloyd Schuster passed away on Sunday, March 10, 2024, in Columbia, South Carolina. He was seventy-two. People knew James Schuster as “Jim.” Jim is survived by his wife, Leslie, who has known Jim nearly all her life. Jim also is survived by two daughters: Vada Schuster and Heidi Kuffel, who is married to Jason Kuffel.

Jim and Leslie’s home has been in Columbia, but Jim lived most of his life in Illinois. He grew up in Mount Prospect, Illinois, as the eldest son of Kay and Lloyd Schuster. Jim was a brother to Kathy, Peggy (since deceased), Frank, and Jeanne. Jim graduated with his bachelor’s degree from Bradley University, and he earned his law degree from the University of Illinois College of Law. Among other achievements and service in life, Jim worked as an attorney for the National Labor Relations Board. Jim and Leslie moved to Columbia in 2007, but many parts of his life took shape around the culture, foods, and traditions in and around Chicago.

Jim thrived on meeting and conversing with people from all walks of life. He spent much of his life helping those around him and placing the needs of others before his own. History was one of his favorite subjects and he had an exhaustive collection of books and films about World War II. He was delighted to make his first trip to Ireland with Leslie in 2008, and to return with Heidi and Jason in 2016. For the past ten years, Jim and Leslie regularly joined their children for the holidays (as well as vacations, on occasion), and Jim is well known for his love of driving long distances. In 2022, Jim and Leslie celebrated their fiftieth wedding anniversary, and his unexpected death cut short a relationship that lasted a solid lifespan for both of them. Jim will be remembered as a kind and caring neighbor and as a man who constantly showed devotion for his family.     

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