James Frederick Schantz

James Jim Schantz was born in Fort Morgan on June 1, 1934 to Fred Deke and Ada Schantz. He graduated from Fort Morgan High School in 1952 and then attended the University of Colorado on a football scholarship. After an injury to his knee, he enrolled in the USAF Aviation Cadet Program and received his commission and wings in June of 1955. He married Janet Brown of Fort Morgan in June of 1958. They later divorced. He then married Bonnie Patterson in April of 1984. Major Schantz served tours in Germany, Guam, South America and Vietnam He was a graduate of Squadron Officers School and the Central Flight Instructors School. He flew 178 combat missions in Vietnam in 1967 and 1968. His military decorations include the Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal with seven oak leaf clusters, Air Force Expeditionary Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal with star, Vietnam Service Medal with three stars, and the Vietnam Campaign Medal. He was a member of the Gideon's, VFW Post 2551 and was selected as one of the Outstanding Young Men of America in 1970 Jim loved golfing, fly fishing and upland game bird hunting with his German Wirehaired pointers.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents and an infant daughter, Karilyn Kay and grandson, Brandon. He survived by his wife, Bonnie of Fort Collins, a brother, Tom and his wife, Enid of Boulder; a son, Sean and his wife, Kim of Danville, CA; and a daughter, Karin of Lakewood CO; his stepdaughters, Sonja Olsen of Burns, Wyoming and Kerri Terrazas of Greeley, CO; grandchildren, Ryan and Kaylee; step grandchildren, Adam and Audry of Greeley and Kaycee of Burns, WY. A Memorial Service with Military Honors by the Fort Collins All Veterans Honor Guard will be held on Monday at 2:00 p.m. at Bohlender Funeral Chapel. A Private Interment will be held at Fort Logan National Cemetery at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to James F. Schantz Memorial Fund for Cancer and COPD Research in care of Bohlender Funeral Chapel, 121 W. Olive, Fort Collins, Colorado 80524.