James "Jim" Schanhals

James Otis Schanhals, 79, residing in Austin, passed from this world on Tuesday, August 16th, 2022, after a short battle with cancer.

Jim was born on February 2nd, 1943, in Elgin, to Otis and Ruth Schanhals. He graduated from Elgin High School, then studied color and design at the University of Texas Austin, was drafted into the US Army in 1965, and then continued his career in design from New York to Los Angeles to Dallas.

He was predeceased by his parents; his sister, Helen Schanhals; his grandparents, Minna and Herman Lauman and Rosa and William Schanhals; his brother-in-law, Raymond Michalek; and his dear friends Mary McNeill, Donna Vedder, and George Wilson.

Jim is survived by his sister, Barbara Michalek; his brother, Bruce Schanhals (Martha); his nieces and nephews, Blake Schanhals (Manon), Lauren Brewer (Ryan), Sarah Gutierrez (Garrett); and great niece and nephews, Rhett, Gage, Gus, and Lilly.

Friends and Family will gather to Celebrate Jim’s Life, at the Elgin Cemetery, Saturday August 27th, at 3:00 PM.

Jim loved flowers, but he also loved equal rights. Please consider a donation to the ACLU in his name.