Born December 14th 1945, James Arthur Schroer was simply known as “Jimmy” to his father Jack, mother Mildred and brother John.

This is Mildred and Jack Schroer. The footage was shot in this section by Jack on Super 16mm because apparently grandma Milly wasn’t great at composition.

Mildred (Hamil) Schroer mid 1940s

Mildred and baby Jimmy 1945

Grampy Jack teaching scooter techniques in Army uniform

John Schroer with baby brother Jimmy

This is Jan, the first of Jim’s dogs as a child and he would have a dog at every point in his life. The bond we as a species have with dogs stayed important to him until the very end.

Happy Birthday Jimmy

Mrs Hoover’s First Grade Class 1953 via classmate Patrick Boyle

Merry Xmas Jimmy

Baseball and Cowboy costumes for the Schroer boys. The only outfits more American in that era would’ve been the Statue of Liberty, draped in a flag.

Jimmy working on his breaking ball while wearing the mitt which would come to be known as “The Natural” in 1980s.

Little League Area Champs

Jim once tried to convince Jason and Jeff that the first highlight was proof he could dunk because the ball went in. They were never buying it.

When it came to playing any sport, despite his success in basketball, it was golf that was his first love.

Padre always took the game of golf very seriously. Fairways and mostly greens are the only locations Jeff and Jason ever remember being so visibly frustrated. Pretty obvious how he felt about that shot from his post swing body language.

He stubbornly stuck with this weird putting stance his entire life. Thus our collective memories of demonstrative frustrations specifically around putting surfaces.

His short game was always nice and so is the camera work here by Grampy Jack.

But, alas - a missed birdie and a tap-in par don’t sit well between his ears.

Jimmy running late to his HS graduation.

Jimmy graduates from Los Alamos HS in 1964

Jimmy dives for a catch at the local pool.

Padre was simply a good athlete. He could pick up / play just about anything until his body would no longer allow it.

Halloween with his buddy Steve Sanchez. We wish we knew the bit here, cuz there’s definitely a bit going on.

Just love this shot for its humility and genuine happiness.