James Schumacher

JAMES SCHUMACHER James "Jimmy" Schumacher, 89, of Las Vegas, passed away Jan. 24, 2010. He was born June 21, 1920, in Prescott, Ariz., and was a 39-year resident of Nevada. Jimmy ran away from home at the young age of 16 to join the Wild West Show. He later became a championship bronc and bull rider. Jimmy won the Calgary Stampede three years in a row, as well as many other rodeo championships throughout the United States. He later became a professional rodeo clown and invented the "walking barrel," which is still in use today. Jimmy was inducted into the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City, and also has featured exhibits in the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame in Colorado Springs, Colo., and the Autry Museum of the American West in Los Angeles. Jimmy later worked the National Finals Rodeo as a rodeo clown for nine years until he retired in 1970. Although he frequently described himself as "140 pounds of walking romance" during his bachelor days, he ended up marrying the love of his life, Alice DuBois, after only two dates. They were happily married for over 57 years. Jimmy was preceded in death by his wife, Alice; as well as his parents, Friebert and Lena Schumacher; brother, Charles; and sisters, Ida and Margaret. He is survived by his two sons, Sidney and Rodney Schumacher of Las Vegas; daughter-in-law, Robin M. Schumacher; two grandsons, Adam and Sean; and many nieces and nephews. Services will be private. Donations can be made to the American Cancer Society.