James Schaeffer

** Video Tribute Can Be Viewed Below ** James Schaeffer, age 72 of Osage WY and formerly Spearfish SD, died Wednesday, January 25, 2017 at his home near Osage. The funeral service will be held 10:30am Tuesday, January 31st, 2017 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Belle Fourche. Visitation will be held 5 to 7 PM Monday at Leverington Funeral Home of the Northern Hills in Belle Fourche, and one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will take place in Boyd Cemetery in Weston County, WY. James Dean Schaeffer was born June 11, 1944 in Newcastle, Wyoming. He was the son of Dean and Mary (Trujillo) Schaeffer. Jim grew up in Newcastle where he graduated from high school in 1962. He served 4 years in the National Guard. During this time he was stationed at Ft. Leonardwood, Missouri. He was united in marriage to Judy Tavegia in Newcastle on July 10, 1966. To this union 4 children were born: Kevin, Linda, Greg, and Erin. In 1967 they moved to Oklahoma City where Jim attended college and earned a degree in Radiology. Shortly afterwards, he began a career in Nuclear Medicine that lasted 42 years. It took him to many places: Shattuck OK, Arma KS, Springfield MO, Osage Beach MO, Carson Valley NV, and in 2001 they settled in Spearfish. Jim retired in 2012 and two years later Jim and Judy moved to the ranch near Osage, Wyoming. Jim was a man who loved the outdoors. He loved farming and ranching, hunting and fishing, camping, and woodworking. He was a great cook and he loved Dutch oven cooking especially. He enjoyed missionary work and he loved his friends and family very much. Jim will be greatly missed by all who knew him. James is survived by his wife, Judy of Osage WY; daughters, Linda (Don) Logan of Dayton VA, Erin Brinson of Spearfish; sons, Kevin (Jonie) of Lehi UT, Greg (Devanee) of Gardenville NV; 12 grandchildren, Brett, Conner, Kaylee, Elizabeth, and Isabel Logan, Zachary, Carson, and Alexis Schaeffer, Austin and Hannah Schaeffer, Jordon and Breanna Brinson; and 2 sisters, Fern Baker of Newcastle, and Donna Bruggeman of Newcastle. He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Betty Lou Meeks; brothers, Joseph and David Schaeffer; and nephews, Rick Meeks and Joey Schaeffer.