Schauweker, 57, graphic artist, leader in community

PALM HARBOR - Graphic artist and community leader James Schauweker died of cancer Sunday (April 27, 2003) at Morton Plant Hospital in Clearwater. He was 57.

A former Palm Harbor Citizen of the Year, Mr. Schauweker was active in the Greater Palm Harbor Area Chamber of Commerce for nearly three decades and was a leader of the Palm Harbor Arts, Crafts and Music Festival.

"The melanoma was only discovered last June," said his wife of 32 years, Marqueta, better known as Marki. The cancer was diagnosed as malignant last July when Mr. Schauweker underwent open heart surgery to correct a faulty heart valve.

Until then, his only health problem was migraines.

"They would blind him, and that is what kept him out of the military," said Mrs. Schauweker, a business partner with Mr. Schauweker in James Studios. "He was active in the studio up until a week and a half ago."

Palm Harbor chamber president Connie Davis described Mr. Schauweker as "a beloved and respected member of our chamber, always very active and very supportive."

The son of a career military officer, Mr. Schauweker was born in New York and spent his early school years in Okinawa. After his father retired, the family returned to the St. Petersburg area.

He attended Meadowlawn Junior High School and graduated from Northeast High School. He was an Eagle Scout and in high school was named Citizen of the Year.

Between high school and college, he attended Pinellas Tech to learn drafting and was the school's first class president. He worked several years for General Electric at the former plant on Bryan Dairy Road, before going to college.

In 1975, he graduated from the University of South Florida with a fine arts degree.

Through the years Mr. Schauweker participated in many art shows and received numerous awards but it was his work with the Palm Harbor festival that was most noteable.

Mr. Schauweker was named Palm Harbor citizen of the year for 1986-87 and was involved with the chamber since its beginning in 1979. He was a member of the board from 1983-91 and served as president from 1988-89. He served as the art show chairman in 1986.

He was past president of the Palm Harbor Rotary Club and a Paul Harris Fellow. He was an active member of Palm Harbor Community Church.

Survivors include a daughter, Barbara Amft, Blue Island, Ill.; his mother, Betty Schauweker, Springdale, Ark.; a brother, Floyd Edward, Gainesville; and two grandsons.

Memorial services will be at 1 p.m. May 9 at Palm Harbor Community Church. The family asks that donations be made to the Palm Harbor YMCA. Sylvan Abbey Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

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