"I worked with David at ESI/CIGNA, he was a gem. I always appreciated his desire to help, and more so our conversations and his jokes. He will be missed. My thoughts and prayers go out to you. "
In loving memory of
David A. Schooley
September 22, 1963 - August 3, 2021
David A. Schooley, 57, of Germantown, TN, passed away Tuesday, August 3, 2021, at Baptist Memorial Hospital-Memphis, of heart complications due to a month-long battle with Covid. He was born September 22, 1963, in Cedar Rapids, IA, to Virginia R. (Techau) and the late Floyd Schooley (biological father). He married Sherri Thompson on December 22, 1990, after meeting her June 22, 1990, and celebrated their 30th anniversary this past year.
David worked his way through college and, in 1989, obtained a B.A. in Computer Science from the University of Iowa. He was hired by Caterpillar, Inc. in Peoria, IL. He left Caterpillar for ALLDATA, a job he had for one year, as AutoZone moved it to its headquarters-in Memphis. He and his family reluctantly followed his job to Memphis. He worked for AutoZone for seven years, then took a job with ALSAC/St. Jude, where he worked for six years, happy his efforts helped cure children. His last job was at Express Scripts/Cigna, where he was able to work from home as an AGILE coach. He enjoyed his job, and his colleagues became like family during the pandemic.
What set David apart was the kindness, humor and a sense of informality and familiarity he brought into every situation. He would often say outrageous things or little sly comments to elicit a smile. Often, he would regale his children with stories of when he fought in the jungles or various scenarios, completely fictional, of course. He was an avid student of history, a love he shared with his dad, James. He loved his family deeply and had a way of making each one of them feel special. He spoiled each of them outrageously. His grandchildren were the light of his life, and despite clogged toilets and marked up walls, he was so thankful to have lived with them for these past four years. His one fear, while in the hospital, was never seeing them again. In God's kindness, he allowed David to come home for a few days.
David loved Legos-buying and selling Legos, building and displaying Legos, and talking about and watching videos about Legos! He loved music and movies and reading. Pre-family addition, he was an artist and spent hours meticulously painting his War Hammer soldiers before Saturday battles. Most recently, he engaged in role playing games that he could play with Caleb and John and online strategy games that he played with his brother Donny and nephew Chris. He really enjoyed the games, but he was intentional about building relationships. He built relationships while serving as a deacon and as a children's teacher for several years at St. Patrick. He was always comfortable with children, probably because he was just a big child himself! After being a member for sixteen years, his life reflected the values of St. Patrick: He loved God, he loved people, and he loved life.
He will forever be loved and missed by those surviving: his wife, Sherri; children Andrea (John) Bray, Caleb, Ashlyn, Arlana, Savannah, and Ian; his grandchildren Rosemary, Nathaniel, and Gideon, all of the Memphis area; his mother, Virginia, brother, Donny Schooley; and sister, Dianna Lahue, of Marion, IA; brother-in-laws Kenny (Diane) Thompson and Larry Thompson of Elmwood, IL, and Keith Thompson of Bloomington, IL,; two sister-in laws, Louise Thompson of Elmwood, IL, and Sherri Schooley of Shellsburg, IA; nephews Chris (Georgia) Walker and family and Devin Schooley ; nieces Jenny Armstrong and Katie (Jacob) Ingalls and family, and Ayla Mease and family, all of IA; nieces Amber (Dru) Lesnick of Clive, IA, and Stacey Seipel and family of Elmwood, IL. He was preceded in death by his father, James Joslin, and his brother, Danny Schooley.
Services will be held: TN service is Sat., August 14, at 1:00 p.m. at St. Patrick Presbyterian Church, Collierville, with an hour visitation preceding. IL service is Sat., August 21, at Lehigh Cemetery, Elmwood, IL, at 11:00 a.m. and open to the public. Please make memorials to St. Jude or to St. Patrick Presbyterian Church for an educational fund for his children.
Tributes
"The best legacy! taken from the "Memorial Service Meal for the Schooley Family" - Collierville, TN NO SLOTS AVAILABLE. SIGN UP IS FULL."
"Just a little about David (in my mind the "Father of the Usher Ministry at St. Patrick Presbyterian") - David and I served on the first Diaconate together many years ago. I looked up to him immediately recognizing his analytical and logical way of thought but much more compassionate than the usual type. It was there that I learned more detail about the usher ministry and that was more my speed of hands on service versus helping the flock talk-talk meetings. Not certain, but I think David may have started the usher ministry in the beginning at St Patrick, if not he is the one who organized it for sure. David had a manual with every step documented to the Nth degree even with photocopies of hand drawings of the table where everything went, I think there were even measurements in inches on the distances and angle arc degrees, service duty timing (10:45, 11:15, 11:20, etc.) or key phrases to listen for by Jim or Brian to know when to act for each transition of duty just in case they deviated from the exact times (ie. not watching their watch that they would take off an put on the stand in easy view), etc. Back then the usher ministry was the critical backbone of the entire service - we did everything before, during and after service (sanctuary setup, preparing the table, changing light bulbs, making sure the exit routes were clear (for the surprise visits by the fire marshall!), purchased wine day before if we were out, quick trips to grocery when there was no bread, making coffee, taking up offering, counting, even regulating thermostats, and even replacing startup capacitors on AC units before everyone arrived). And that was back when we had "two" services on Sunday - double duty!!! Some of you remember those days as well - they were hard work but I guess fun because ushers kept on doing what they do dealing with the hand they were dealt every week. Sometimes chaotic but in a wonderful way. David when needed would recruit folks on the fly (was how I got started) to help with ushering and I was excited to help. HIs son Caleb would help and they both set the example of Father/Son ushering - we picked up on that and before we knew it we had youth (male and female) fighting to help usher each Sunday. We had 6 foot tall and 3 foot tall ushers standing before the cross with our baskets for the offering (Jim and Brian looking at us smiling at what a picture of a odd non traditional bunch! - how could we deny these young folks from wanting to serve at what was traditionally an adult role. David and Caleb set that motion. I see some of those same young kids many years later in the sound booth, setting up the table, involved and think back at its root. I also think of the FedEx flight line of pilots - so many cool things born. So, Thank You David Schooley for your dedication, influence and setting the course of the Usher Ministry at St Patrick Presbyterian - you are the Father of the Usher Ministry - the backbone of a smooth service every Sunday worship. I'm a metal head so will leave you with this. Metallica - "Now that we are Dead" All sinners, a future (because of what Jesus did) All Saints, a past Beginning, the ending Return to ash When darkness falls May it be That we should see the light (because of what Jesus did) Return to ashes, shed this skin Beyond the black, we rise again We shall live forever (because of what Jesus did) Thank You Mr. David Schooley (You friend, you mentor, you influencer, you great dad, you great husband, you sinner (me too)) - we shall see each other again and live forever (because of what Jesus did)! Until then you will be missed here in this 4 dimensional universe but soon enough together forever.\\ Friend in Christ, Bob Slaughter, St Patrick Presbyterian, Collierville, TN "
"To Sherri and family: At Caterpillar, I worked with Dave in Factory Systems in the late 1990's - he was always hard working; a technical expert; and customer focused. His expertise was in adapting new technologies to business challenges on Caterpillar's manufacturing shop floor - leading edge for the time. Peter Barclay Peoria, IL"
"My condolences and prayers to the family, May God provide you with comfort, peace and strength during this difficult time of mourning. Psalms 29:11"