Father James H. Schrader, C.PP.S. of the Kansas City Province of the Missionaries of the Precious Blood died on Ash Wednesday, March 6, 2019, at St. Charles Center in Carthagena, Ohio. He was 88 years old.

Fr. Jim was born in Randolph, Ohio on June 24, 1930, to Henry J. and Therese L. (May) Schrader. He entered formation with the Society of the Precious Blood at Brunnerdale Seminary in Canton, Ohio on August 30, 1944. He was Definitively Incorporated as a Missionary of the Precious Blood on December 3, 1954, and was ordained to the Priesthood at St. Charles on June 2, 1956.

After ordination, Fr. Schrader had a long and diverse ministerial career. He served in many parishes, on Provincial leadership teams, and preaching retreats and parish missions. In 2005, Fr. Schrader moved into retirement at Precious Blood Center in Liberty, Missouri.

At the Center, Fr. Jim was known for tending the flower gardens, especially irises. The flower garden in front of the Altmann Guest House at the Center is dedicated in memory of Fr. Jim’s mother. He also took up painting as therapy and hobby to express his creativity. He sold his works of art at Assemblies to support the Vietnam Mission of the Kansas City Province. Fr. Schrader moved to St. Charles Center in Carthagena in September 2011, where he remained until his death.

Throughout his life, Fr. Jim was known as an engaging homilist, and for his sense of humor and his love for the community. “He was a good community man who enjoyed being with members of the community,” Fr. Mark Miller, former provincial of the Kansas City Province who lived with Fr. Jim in the mission house in Kansas City, said. “He loved to bake bread and the smell of bread was always refreshing. We had some good conversations as we would eat our evening meal together.” Fr. Jim Betzen recalled, “He enjoyed teaching at St. Elizabeth and was very much liked by the parishioners there.”

Obituary and photo courtesy of Margaret Haik, Communication Director for the Kansas City Province.