James A. Schropp

James Andrew Schropp, 82, husband, father, grandfather, educator, and benefactor of numerous charitable, educational, and civic organizations, as well as the arts, died peacefully on Friday, April 12, 2024, surrounded by his family.

Private Mass of Catholic burial, The Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Detroit, Michigan. Private Interment, Our Lady of Hope Catholic Cemetery. The family requests, in lieu of flowers, that memorial donations be made to the Irish Pallottine Mission, Wyandotte, Michigan: https://www.irishpallottines.org/project-6/

James was born in Detroit, Michigan, January 30, 1942, the only child of Charles and Agatha Matreal Schropp. He attended Allen Park Public Schools and graduated from Allen Park High School in 1960. He entered Eastern Michigan University and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Education in 1964 and a Masters of Arts degree, 1965. He continued his graduate studies at Wayne State University receiving a Masters degree in Library Science and an Educational Specialist Degree (EdS) in Instructional Design and Technology. He spent the initial portion of his professional career teaching English and Social Studies at Davidson Middle School, Southgate, Michigan. In 1976 until his retirement, he became the Media Specialist at Southgate Anderson High School. Successfully completed numerous North Central Accreditations for the Southgate Community School District. He was instrumental to the success of the Summer Youth Employment Program, Southgate, Michigan.

It was in 1950 that James met the love of his life, Eileen Tynan, Allen Park, Michigan, daughter of Peter and Josephine Tynan III. They were married in 1967, Saint Francis Cabrini Church, Allen Park, Michigan, and were blessed with three daughters and a son, all of whom attended Gabriel Richard High School and proudly graduated from Nazareth College, Kalamazoo, Saint Mary's College, Notre Dame (2) and the University of Detroit.

A lifelong Catholic, James was a member of Saint Joseph Catholic Church, Trenton, Michigan, Saint John Vianney Catholic Church, St. Pete Beach, Florida and Saint Joseph the Worker Catholic Church, East Jordan, Michigan. He demonstrated his devotion to his religion in many ways by serving as lector and on various councils and commissions for Saint Joseph Catholic Church, Trenton and an annual contributor to Focus Hope since 1968.

Volunteering was central in James' life. He was a proud member and served several presidencies for the Kiwanis Club of Trenton, Board member for the Downriver Youth Performing Arts Center (DYPAC), a member of the Rotary Club of Trenton and a previous board member of The Art Deco Society of Detroit. Appointed by the City of Trenton to serve on the Cultural Commission, the Cable Commission, Downtown Development Authority and the Trenton Old Town HomeOwners Association. James was recognized with a multitude of awards for countless hours of volunteering. He was a member of the following: Founders Society of the Detroit Institute of Arts Museum, Freer House Wayne State University, The Detroit Historical Society, The Detroit Art Deco Society and Phi Delta Kappa Wayne State University. During his lifetime, James enjoyed the simple things in life. He enjoyed his homes in Northern Michigan and Florida with his family and friends. He supported and enjoyed the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and The Michigan Opera Theater; Formula 1 Racing, the Concours d' Elegance, picnics, sailing regattas, The New York Times, NPR and MSNBC.

Left to celebrate his life and legacy, are his daughters Anne Marie Schropp Bradley (Joe), Marguerite Schropp Lucarelli (Tony), Kathryn Eileen Schropp and son Christopher Charles Schropp (Mandy); grandchildren, Anthony and Eileen Lucarelli. Predeceased by his loving wife Eileen (1996) and grandson Bruno Charles Lucarelli (2004). The family wishes to thank the doctors and nurses of Corewell Health Beaumont Oakwood Hospital, Dearborn, Michigan, for the beautiful care provided to James.