James (Jimmy) Robert Schlotzhauer

James Robert Schlotzhauer of Harrington, DE, known to his family and friends as Jimmy, passed away peacefully at home on May 14, 2025 at the age of 72. He was born on July 8, 1952 in Easton, MD to the late Christian R. Schlotzhauer, Jr and Clara Callahan Schlotzhauer.

Jimmy grew up with his siblings on the family dairy farm in Cordova, MD. He graduated from Easton High School in 1970. After graduation he continued to work on the family farm until he started his career in harness racing. In the meantime, Jimmy had met his future wife, Jo Ann States. After dating for five years they were wed on April 14, 1973, recently celebrating 52 years of marriage together.

He was very fortunate to have great horseman to help get him started in harness racing. The late Franklin Milby gave Jimmy his first horse to start working on and he would travel to Harrington to get jogging and training experience with the late, Pat Hubbard. Early on in his career, there was a newspaper article calling him, “Hayseed” Jim Schlotzhauer. The article talked about a farm boy that bought a near death horse, gave it some groceries and care, bringing the horse back to the winner’s circle. Jimmy had a special knack for taking horses with lameness issues and getting them back to being a successful racehorse. He had a long rewarding career as a driver, trainer and owner. He was a member of the United States Trotting Association.

While traveling the roads daily to racetracks, Jimmy and Jo Ann started a family. They raised two children, Shannon and Jim. But what brought him the most joy in his life was his three grandsons, Ethan, Buddy and Christian. You could always count on Pop-Pop to attend baseball games, grandparents’ day at school or any other important event.

Jimmy was known for making fresh sausage and would travel around delivering to his neighbors and local businesses he frequented right before Christmas every year. When spring rolled around you could guarantee he would again be riding around to hand out fresh asparagus from his patch. In Jimmy’s spare time he enjoyed trail riding and team roping with family and friends He liked to go fishing, crabbing, and hunting and was a member of the Coastal Coon-Hunters Association. You could guarantee there was always a farm full of animals, especially cattle.

Jimmy is survived by his wife, Jo Ann of Harrington, DE; daughter, Shannon Stafford(Andrew) of Harrington, DE; son, Jim Schlotzhauer(Sandy) of Greenwood, DE; grandsons, Ethan Stafford, Buddy and Christian Schlotzhauer; siblings, Mary Ann Shortall(Purnell), Sharon Neuwiller(Chuck), Chris Schlotzhauer(Carol) and Mickey Chance(Randy); many nieces, nephews and cousins; and close friends that he talked to daily.

A memorial service will be held at 5 PM on Friday, May 23rd, at the Moore Funeral Home, P.A. located at 12 South Second Street in Denton where friends may visit from 4 until 5 before the service. The interment will be private.

If friends wish to send memorial donations in memory of Jimmy, the family suggests sending them to Denton Little League, PO Box 333, Denton, MD 21629.

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