James "JIM" Thomas Schermerhorn

James “Jim” Thomas Schermerhorn, 96, died on December 1, 2025, at Haywood Regional Medical Center after a period of declining health. He was born on May 13, 1929, in St. Paul, MN to the late James and Edith Thomas Schermerhorn.

During the Korean War Jim served his country as a Staff Seargeant in the USAF at the MATS HQ.

He received his AA from the University of Minnesota; his BA from the Minneapolis College of Art and Design followed by an MFA in Printmaking from the University of Iowa. While teaching art at Oak Ridge High School in Orlando he also served as the Chair of the Art Department. Jim, as an adjunct professor, also taught at Seminole Community College in Sanford, FL. Though he was passionate about art, painting in acrylics and oils, he was also an avid daylily grower and hybridizer. His family remembers his love of fishing, cutting Halloween pumpkins for his grandkids, and just being with family.

Upon moving to Waynesville, he became an active member of First United Methodist Church, serving as an usher and member of the grounds committee. Jim traveled extensively to Turkey, Europe, Hawaii, the American Southwest, Alaska, Mexico, Columbia, and Central America.

He leaves behind a family that misses him greatly, including his wife of 59 years, Leora; sons, Charlie (Carol) and Andy (Tatiana); grandchildren, April (Jeff) Sawicki, Adam (Cassidy), Bella, and James; great grandchildren, Bryson and Hunter Sawicki; sisters, Bonnie Pillivant (Don) of Cleveland, OH, and Carol Williams of Hendersonville, NC; brother, Dr. Richard (Renee) Schermerhorn of Clermont, FL, his sister-in-law Shirley Steele of Billings, Montana, and many beloved nieces and nephews.

The care of Mr. Schermerhorn has been entrusted by Wells Funeral Home of Waynesville.