James A. Schenck

James (Jim) Arthur Schenck, affectionately called the “Tootsie Roll Man” by hundreds of people, died on June 29, 2024, at the age of 84 at Davis Hospice in Cheyenne, Wyoming. Jim was born in Morton, Wyoming, on August 30, 1939, to Leo and Mildred Schenck, who ran a post office and country store. Jim was taught to love the outdoors from an early age, running a trap line between Morton and Morton School, where he graduated in 1957. He loved to hunt and fish, and he enjoyed snowmobiling in the winter. Jim was also an accomplished musician. From 7th grade through high school he played in a dance band that played at bars throughout the state. He was even offered a job with an out of state band in Nebraska, but his parents refused to let him because he was still in school.

Jim went to the University of Wyoming for two years before working at a sawmill, where he met and married a “sawmiller’s daughter,” Judith Lindsdau. From that marriage, he raised two stepdaughters, Debbie Kay and Catherine, and their son Michael, while living in Riverton, Wyoming. While in Riverton, he managed a sawmill and went to gunsmithing school. He built guns for a number of people in Riverton.
In 1986, Jim moved to Cheyenne, Wyoming, rising quickly to the position of plant manager at Woodworks, Inc., from where he retired in 2001. He met and married the love of his life, Kathy Schenck, in 1990.

The couple were married at the Cheyenne Berean Church, where Jim met Christ and accepted Him as his personal savior. Jim and Kathy led a ministry called DivorceCare for Christians. He was also a personal prayer partner with his pastor, Richard Crocker. He often sat outside the church in the heat and cold, praying as the elders met. One of the many gifts he offered was his prayers for anyone who asked, and for many who didn’t as well. Jim became an AWANA leader for 2nd-grade Sparkies, where he used his gifts with children to love and keep discipline in a very delicate balance, usually down on the floor with them. He was adored by children, who called him either Mr. Jim or the “Tootsie Roll Man”. Even in his last days, he desired to bring love and joy to children, with the goal of leading them to Jesus. He loved working in the church and would repair furniture when needed. For more than 15 years he and his wife taught a Sunday School class from the Chronological Bible. His pastor often likened the teaching to “digging the Panama Canal with a teaspoon.”

After retirement Jim was able to achieve some of his personal goals. He went back to college to take computer classes, became a Master Gardener, planted hundreds of trees and roses, took cooking classes, built a woodworking shop, took Photoshop classes, and did a lot of photography. He loved cooking, making all kinds of bread, and using his smoker.

Jim and Kathy also enjoyed traveling, mostly by tour bus. One of their favorite excursions was a ten-day tour of Israel in 2017. He always wanted to go back to Israel.

Jim’s legacy is seen through his biological granddaughter Katie Tilghman, who spent a few summers with Jim and Kathy. She and her husband Joe always brightened Jim’s day with their faithful visits through the years. Jim was so thankful for the relationship the two of them shared, and he surrounded her with unending prayer.

Jim is survived by his loving wife Kathy; son Michael John of Riverton; stepdaughters Debbie Hartley of Casper and Cathy Kimmel of Riverton; and stepson Mitch Hovland of Cheyenne. He is also survived by seven grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, and his beloved dog, Daisy. In addition, he leaves behind several generations of church children and a beloved church family, who will dearly miss the “Tootsie Roll Man” who gave them “vitamins,” smiles, and hugs.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents Leo and Mildred Schenck; his brother Dick Schenck; sisters Helen Capellan and Mary Lou Long; an infant son; and a stepson Mike Hovland.