Frederick Schumacker

Frederick Joseph Schumacker, 82, passed away peacefully on December 27, 2021.  He was born in Kansas City, Kansas in 1939 to Helen and Fred Schumacker.  He was the oldest of two children including his sister, Bonnie.  At the age of 24 he met and married Orrene Joseph, the love of his life, to which they spent 45 years together.

Fred was a retired railroader, working just shy of 50 years for the Missouri Pacific (now Union Pacific) Railroad.  In addition to working nights and overtime as a switchman, during the day, he followed his passion for construction and carpentry, where he also built and renovated homes in the Stilwell, Kansas area.  Fred was a hard worker and a wonderful provider for his family.

In his spare time, Fred had his share of hobbies too!  He lived a simple life with a taste for the classics-old cars, books, guns, movies, and music.  When his wife was alive, they loved to go “antiquing,” collecting unique pieces, playing cards and games, going to restaurants/dinner theater, and car cruises with friends.  He also enjoyed attending bible study class on Sundays and driving his 1967 Mustang to Church.  Another favorite Sunday pastime was watching Nascar and Kansas City Chiefs football.

Although Fred only had a high school education, he was very intelligent and had a knack for remembering intimate details about things he had read, whether it be about his favorite, history, Civil War or WWII battles, instruction manuals, or the mechanics of a 1953 Chevrolet.  He was good with his hands and had a large collection of tools for fixing things around the house or re-building one of his old vehicles.  Fred also enjoyed working in his yard.  He was so proud of his lawn and literally spent hours on his hands and knees caring for it.  He hated to have to ask anyone to do anything for him and kept up this hard work ethic until his body wouldn’t allow.

To some, Fred may have seemed a bit gruff on his physical exterior, but to those who truly knew him, knew of his soft, kind and loving soul. He was preceded in death by his wife, Orrene.  He is survived by his only child, Christina McKee, son in law, Jeff, and grandson, Griffin.  He will truly be missed, but not forgotten.