James Milam Schverak

Milam was born on March 7, 1938 in Houston, TX to Joseph “Jolly” Schverak and Louise Leavens Schverak. A native to The Heights neighborhood of Houston, Jimmie, as he was known in his early years, grew up alongside his younger brother Donald “Donnie” Schverak on Omar St., never being far from the love of his life, Francine Flukinger. He graduated from John H. Reagan (Heights) High School in 1956, completed his Bachelor’s of Education at Rice University (Class of ‘61), and attended graduate school at The University of Houston for Art History.

During Milam’s high school and collegiate years he participated in sports and was a talented and decorated athlete. Milam was granted a full-ride athletics scholarship to Rice University, was an all time letterman on the Rice Track and Field Team, and an all time letterman on the Rice Football Team, including during their championship of the Southwest Conference in 1957.

Milam was a gifted and passionate educator, making sure to share his love for science with his students, as well as making every lesson fun and interactive! Mr. S, as his student’s called him, taught science and coached athletics across HISD until his retirement.

One of his very favorite, and most well-known activities was art. Milam discovered his love of art while taking an elective class in college in order to graduate. However, that one class sparked his creative mind into a spiral of amazing works. Some of his very favorite media included watercolor, especially those of nature and his beloved woods, and later paper mâché sculptures of characters from literature and his own creativity.

Milam was an amazingly intelligent and outstanding person, a genius in all senses of the word. He was an inspiration to countless students, friends, and family members. He leaves a lasting legacy with all who knew him.

Milam is preceded in death by his parents Joseph Schverak and Louise Leavens Schverak and his daughter Dr. Amy Elizabeth Schverak Anderson.

Milam is survived by his loving wife Joy Francine Flukinger Schverak, brother Donald “Donnie” Earl Schverak, daughter Emily Anne Schverak Lee, grand children, Olivia Kate Lee, Evelyn John Lee, Allyse McKinlay Anderson, Aiden James Anderson, nieces, Kathy Anderson Crandall and Kara Anderson Johnson, and Sons-In-Law John Lee and Sid Anderson.

A memorial service for James will be held Saturday, March 4, 2023 at 1:00 PM at Pat H. Foley & Company, 1200 W. 34th St,, Houston, TX.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.pathfoleyfuneraldirectors.com for the Schverak family.