James Lee Schlottman

James Lee Schlottman was born on December 20, 1943, in Hayward, California to Victor and Marcella Schlottman. ""Jimmy"" was the oldest of three children. In 1953 at the age of 9, Jim accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. It was in response to the message of an evangelist who was speaking at his church. After the message he spoke to his Uncle Kenneth and he led Jim through a prayer to accept Jesus. In 1958, the family moved from California to Rapid City, South Dakota where Jim attended high school. He attended Sioux Falls College in Sioux Falls, South Dakota where he graduated with an art degree. He met Barbara Lee Houtsma while attending College and they married in Sioux Falls on December 23, 1966. After graduation from the College, Jim started his career back at his high school alma mater, Rapid City High School, as Head of the Art Department. After 4 years of teaching art, Sioux Falls College invited him to come back and start the Alumni program. In 1976 Jim and his family moved to Colorado and he began his fundraising career as Executive Director of the Swedish Medical Center Foundation, Vice President of Colorado Christian University and Vice President of the University of Colorado Foundation. In 2013 Jim retired after 23 years as the President of Bethesda Foundation and the founder and President/CEO of QuietWaters Ministries. Jim and Barb worked together with Tadd and Anette for Cultural Care Au Pair for more than 15 years (the same program that brought Anette to the U.S. and into our family) as local childcare coordinators assisting host families and providing on the ground support to foreign Au Pairs from all over the world. Residing in Aurora, CO after retirement, Jim continued a life of ministry serving as a board member to Christian Leadership Alliance. He was involved in several men's Bible studies and continued helping Christian non-profits with their fundraising endeavors. He also served as a member and officer of Denver Kiwanis Club for many years and has served as a deacon and was set to be installed as an elder at Cherry Creek Presbyterian Church in January, 2016. Jim passionately loved his Lord, his family and his friends. His greatest joy was spending time with his grandchildren. He enjoyed taking his granddaughters on dates, arriving on their doorstep with flowers and taking them out to dinner or a movie. Jim never wanted to miss going to a soccer game and became the #1 cheerleader on the sidelines of the grandparents club. Many times you could find him on the floor building with Lego, savoring the moment. He was a real champion and example to his grandchildren. Jim was full of joy. He saw life as an adventure and embraced and savored it to its fullest. He was a gifted listener, who provided love and support to pastors and missionaries around the world. Jim had a love for travel and always wanted to explore other countries and cultures. Jim and Barb's travels took them to 27 countries making many lasting friendships. Since retirement, time has allowed him to try different art media and he has become an avid photographer. Jim is survived by his wife, Barbara of Aurora, CO, son, Tadd (Anette) and grandchildren, Jakob and Emelie of Aurora, CO, daughter, Tara (Chad) Lindburg and grandchildren, Annika and Soren of Castle Rock, CO, and sister, Shirley (Bob) Eben, Rapid City, SD. Preceding Jim in death were his parents, Victor and Marcella and brother, Larry Schlottman. A visitation will be held on Thursday, December 3, 2015 from 5-7 PM at Horan & McConaty Family Chapel, 11150 East Dartmouth Avenue, Aurora, Colorado 80014. A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, December 4, 2015 at 11:00 AM at Cherry Creek Presbyterian Church, 10150 East Belleview Avenue, Englewood, Colorado 80111. In lieu of flowers, donations are suggest to QuietWaters Ministries, 9185 East Kenyon Avenue, Suite 150, Denver, CO 80237, 303-639-9067, www.QWaters.org. Please share your memories of Jim and condolences with his family by signing the guestbook below.