James Patrick Schumacher, of St. Louis, died March 29 at age 52. Born in Cape Girardeau, the youngest of six children, he attended St. Mary’s Grade School and Central High. After graduation, he took courses at the University of Missouri in Columbia, focusing on horticulture. Three years later he moved to Houston and began a career with Southwestern Bell. He accepted a transfer to St. Louis in 1995. Following the merger with AT & T, was laid off in 2006.

Patrick celebrated his third birthday by sledding headlong down a snowy slope into a blackberry patch. In the pictures of his birthday party, he’s a bit mangled up, but eager to dig into the chocolate cake. And that’s how Patrick lived his life–pursuing adventure with gusto, sometimes crashing and burning, but always bouncing back, except this last time.

He was an outgoing boy, loved the outdoors and spent countless hours with his siblings and friends exploring the nearby woods, visiting “haunted houses” tucked away in the forest, and bicycling through the neighborhood. He participated in many camping trips, where he was able to just run wild, swim, hike, and explore the wonders of nature. Bike riding was one of his passions and at age 14, he ventured by bicycle with his brother, Bob, all the way to Vancouver, British Columbia, a 40-day expedition. This interest never waned, and he bicycled wherever he lived. He returned to the west coast in 1991 to bicycle in the San Juan Islands and on Vancouver Island. Ten years later, he took a 200-mile bike trip on the Katy Trail. He was always game to try a new sport, and quickly mastered roller blading and downhill skiing.

He enjoyed family get-togethers, playing card games, Risk, chess and shuffleboard. His family had a garden and a large yard and that was another of Patrick’s interests. His homes were always surrounded by interesting and unusual plants and flowers. Patrick enjoyed traveling with friends and visited Mexico and Thailand. He loved antiques and collectibles and often visited local flea markets, had a side business in estate sales and loved bartering for bargains.

Patrick is survived by his mother and his 5 siblings. It’s unfortunate that Patrick died so young. There was much more out there for him to discover and embrace. And his family and friends wish they could embrace him one more time.