James Shuck Jr.

Sacramento

April 20, 1952 - September 17, 2006

James Shuck, Jr. died unexpectedly from a heart attack at his home in Sacramento. Jim was a talented classical pianist at an early age and obtained bachelor's and master's degrees from Oberlin and Yale University. He spent a wonderful year in Amsterdam taking a master harpsichord class. Jim's family fondly remembers being awakened early to beautiful classical compositions that he practiced before school. Jim's musical talent was matched by his gift for acquiring foreign languages. In high school he once pretended to be a German foreign exchange student to get out of doing class work when a substitute teacher was in charge. As a teenager, Jim survived a spectacular auto accident off an eighty foot cliff and spent his senior year in a body cast. As a result of this brush with death he flunked a medical exam and was turned down for service during the Vietnam War. Jim lived for many years in San Francisco fulfilling his passion for music while working as a wine buyer. He so thoroughly enjoyed learning and being a student that he attended many colleges over the years. He recently obtained a degree in engineering from Sacramento State. He was employed by the California State Environmental Protection Agency at the time of his death.

Jim is survived by his parents, Jim and Gerry of Stockton; his sisters, Kathy, Ann and Carl. He leaves behind several aunts, uncles, cousins and the Barboza family. He is survived by nieces and nephews, Heather, Christina, Matt, Thomas, Marissa and Julia.

Jim will be long remembered for his keen intellect, ironic sense of humor, his love of music, cycling, fine dining and great literature.

A Celebration of his Life is pending.