Jim Fuhs, age 83, entered eternal life peacefully on Monday, December 14, 2020. His late parents, Miriam (Pugh) and Raymond Fuhs welcomed him into their Christian home on February 9, 1937, in Oshkosh, WI. Jim is survived by two sisters: Elaine Ziemer, Wausau, and Susan Hobson, Fairbanks, AK. He graduated from Oshkosh High School in 1954 and from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, School of Pharmacy in 1958.
On July 18, 1959, Jim married Myrna Lundberg in Park Ridge, IL. Their marriage was richly blessed with a loving family of three children: Michael, Eden Prairie, MN; John (Linda), Delafield; and Karen (Rob) Rohrer, Manitowoc. After Myrna passed away in 2001, Jim married high school classmate Jean (Fogtman) Quicker on January 9, 2011. Jean and Jim had reconnected while attending their 55th high school class reunion. Through this marriage, he gained two more children: Laurie (Scott) Gliem and Karen Quicker, all of Sheboygan. Jim loved all 11 grandchildren: Ashley, Thomas, Jake, Katie, Derek, Kellie, Jenna, Julie, Danielle, Bryan, and Tyler and cared deeply for his extended family, friends, colleagues, and customers.
As their four-year catcher, Jim was part of the Oshkosh American Legion baseball teams in the mid-1950’s, when they won three consecutive State and National Region 9 championships. At the University of Wisconsin-Madison, he was a scholarship baseball player, four-year letter winner, and a member of the Kappa Psi pharmacy fraternity. Following a one-year internship in Madison, Jim served six months active duty in the U.S. Army.
In 1960, Jim and Myrna moved to Manitowoc as Jim joined the staff at Buerstatte Drugs on the corner of South 8th and Jay streets in downtown Manitowoc. He joined the business as a partner in 1962 and they changed the name to Manitowoc Pharmacies. This store remains today as the sole independent pharmacy in Manitowoc. In 1983, Jim embarked on a private consulting career, traveling across the country to help hundreds of independent pharmacies remain competitive. He hung up his mortar and pestle in 2003. As a member in the Pharmacists Society of Wisconsin, Jim was recognized in 2008 for outstanding lifetime professional and community service activities.
In the early 1960’s, Jim recognized the need for a YMCA in Manitowoc. As a highly valued charter member, the YMCA recognized him with four service awards between 1979 and 2012. Jim was involved with numerous community organizations, most notably the YMCA, Manitowoc Noon Rotary club, First Lutheran Church, and the Clipper City Model Railroad Club. Through the years, he served on multiple committees and Board of Directors within the local community and UW-Madison Alumni.
Known by many as “Mr. Baseball”, Jim coached little league teams and in 1976, co-developed the Manitowoc American Legion baseball team. He served as head coach for more than a decade and led fundraising efforts as a member of the Board of Directors until 2020. Jim also developed and ran the winter baseball programs held at the YMCA and Silver Creek Field House for more than four decades. He was enshrined into the Lakeshore All Sports Hall of Fame in 2002.
Ever dedicated to his customers, Jim would often fill and deliver prescriptions after hours, while fully dressed in his baseball uniform. Also known as a “farm-acist,” Jim relished the opportunity to drive tractor at his cousins’ farm outside of Oshkosh during both planting and harvest seasons. His challenge to drive in a straight line never diminished.
The family will greet relatives and friends at the Harrigan Parkside Funeral Home on Sunday, December 27, 2020 from 10:30 a.m. until Noon. A private, family-only memorial service officiated by Rev. Rachel Hacker will be held at 12:30 p.m. and streamed live on the Harrigan Parkside Funeral Home Facebook page. Cremation has taken place at the Harrigan Parkside Crematory and Chapel. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.harriganparksidefuneralhome.com
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Lutheran Church, YMCA, Manitowoc American Legion Baseball, or Treehouse Theater.
The Harrigan Parkside Funeral Home and Crematory, North 11th and St. Clair streets, Manitowoc is assisting the family with funeral arrangements.
