James Harrison Schwartzburg

June 13, 1932 – November 4, 2023

James (Jim) Harrison Schwartzburg passed away on November 4, 2023 surrounded by his loved ones.  Jim was born to Frederick and Florence Schwartzburg in Miami Beach, Florida on June 13, 1932.  Although times were tough, Jim managed to have an idyllic childhood with his two brothers, Rick and David (both deceased) roaming the beaches, swimming, fishing and catching stone crabs.  As the Miami Beach High quarterback, Jim was named an All-American  and earned the nicknames “Wonder Boy” and “Typhoon Terror.”  His legend lives on in their Hall of Fame.  Jim attended the University of Florida, where he continued his football career and studies earning a BS in Business Administration.  Up for a challenge, Jim was called upon one day when the Gators needed a substitute for their injured center.  It was a big game, as they were taking on Bart Starr and the Crimson Tide.  Jim put his all into this new position and earned SEC player of the week for his efforts.

This fearless attitude and enthusiasm to try new things carried on throughout his life.  After a brief stint in the army, Jim headed to Kansas City where in 1963 he met and married a beautiful TWA flight attendant from California, Bonnie Clause.  After brief employment at Skelly Oil, Jim discovered his passion, plastic injection molding. He started his career at Avsco, Inc. in Excelsior Springs, Missouri.  While there, Jim developed products including the 8-Track tape and became Vice President of Sales.  In 1968, Jim decided to venture out on his own and founded Packer Plastics, Inc. in Lawrence, Kansas.  Packer’s original focus was manufacturing food packaging containers.  Over the years, its product line expanded to include the first souvenir cups, housewares and lawn and garden products, also adding printing machines to decorate those products.  While there, Jim pioneered the code used to sort and separate plastics for recycling.  He was very proud to care for his employees and had an open-door policy.  Jim decided to sell Packer in 1997 to Berry Global and was proud to see the company continue to grow and enhance the town of Lawrence and many of its residents.

With a passionate, entrepreneurial spirit, Jim continued to be active in business.  He founded Jet Printers and was passionate about this project and its potential.  Jim was a leader both at home and in his community.  Family and friends sought Jim out for advice.  He was a mentor to many and was always willing to help.  Jim served on multiple boards and had varied charitable interests, including Family Promise, Habitat for Humanity, Lawrence Memorial Hospital and Flint Hill Technology College to name a few.  Additionally, he funded an Entrepreneurship Scholarship at Emporia State University.

Jim never met a stranger. Friends were very important to him.  He and Bonnie opened their home in Lawrence and cabin in Wisconsin to Jim’s large group of eclectic and devoted friends.  He was always eager to share what he loved with others.

Jim’s mind never rested.  He was always eager to learn and see what the next great thing might be.  Whether it was learning about new energy sources, researching stocks or reading about politics, Jim studied and loved to converse and debate about all he had learned.  His many interests included flying airplanes, picking berries, growing fruit and enjoying the Northwoods of Wisconsin, but mostly spending time with his family.  Jim loved watching his grandchildren grow and always wanted to spend time showing them all the beauty he saw in the world.

Jim leaves behind a well-loved family.  Wife, Bonnie, two daughters Amy Wright (John) and Sue Mills (Tom), and son, Jimmy Schwartzburg, six grandchildren, Samantha Benitez (George), Charlie Wright, Annie Wright, Katie Wright, Holly Mills and Grace Mills.  He will be greatly missed, but not forgotten.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Plymouth Congressional Church on November 17, 2023 at 11 am followed by a reception at Lawrence Country Club.

Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to Family Promise, PO Box 1516, Lawrence, KS 66044 or may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary, 120 W. 13th Street, Lawrence, KS 66044.