In loving memory of

James Thomas "J.T." Schrage, Jr.
September 12, 1953 - September 28, 2018

James Thomas "J.T." Schrage, Jr., 65, of Carmel, passed away September 28, 2018. He was born September 12, 1953 in Anderson, Indiana to the late James T. and Mary Rose (Wesselman) Schrage. He was a 1971 graduate of Cathedral High School and attended Lincoln Technical Institute.

J.T. is survived by his wife of almost 47 years, Cathy (Mitkus) Schrage, two daughters, Christy and Lisa; siblings, Ann Schrage, Bill (Debbie) Schrage, Joe (Pam) Schrage, Jane (Jon) Selsemeyer, and Jean (Don) Kingen; in-laws, Vito and Anthea Mitkus; and many nieces and nephews.

J.T. and Cathy met at the North Willow Farms Club House. They were married at St. Luke Catholic Church on November 27, 1971. Cathy was the love of his life, and he loved their daughters with all of his heart.

J.T. was retired as proud owner of J.T.'s Car Care. J.T. loved traveling with Cathy, tending to his famous garden, camping, learning history, and watching old movies. He was an avid fan of IU basketball, the Cincinnati Reds, and PGA Golf. He was a terrific baseball player. J.T. taught both of his daughters the art of pitching in fast-pitch softball and went on to be a volunteer pitching coach at Carmel High School before becoming head women's softball coach at IUPUI. J.T. loved coaching many players throughout his career and cherished the memories of the time spent with them, especially those of the 1994 Carmel High School Girls Softball IHSAA State Championship winning team.


A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, October 4, 2018 at 11:30 AM at St. Luke Catholic Church, 7575 Holliday Drive East, Indianapolis, Indiana, with calling from 9:30 AM until time of Mass at the church. Interment to follow at Our Lady of Peace Cemetery.

To share a memory, please visit www.leppertmortuary.com.

Tributes

Jim Wesselman wrote on Oct 2, 2018:

"Donna and I are very sad to hear of JT?s passing. We wish that we could attend Thursday?s services so that we could enjoy being with his wonderful family. To Cathy and the girls, Ann, Bill, Jeanie, Janie and Joe, our thoughts are with you."

Gerald Zore wrote on Oct 1, 2018:

"May passing time, caring friends and loving memories, work gently through the coming days to help comfort his family."

Dave Grande wrote on Oct 1, 2018:

"J.T. and I met in grade school at St. Michael's and became the best of friends. When our family moved into J.T.'s neighborhood when we were in 6th grade, it seems like we spent almost every day together playing sandlot football or baseball (J.T. was definitely the "Bennie Rodriguez" of the neighborhood- the best at everything), helping each other with paper routes, hanging out at Westerleigh drugstore soda fountain and Chick Inn spending all our paper route money. We walked back & forth to school together every day. J.T. and I hung out at his house and his neighbor Jordan's basketball court almost every day. I do not remember any time being told by either the Jordan's or Mrs. Schrage "son, it's time for you to go home." J.T.'s mom was one of the nicest people you could ever meet. And J.T. married an equally nice person in Cathy. 47 years of marriage being a great tribute to their commitment to each other. J.T. and I even stayed friends after I broke J.T.'s nose with a golf club when were caddies at Broadmoor CC. J.T. was a legend at Ransburg Little League. Unfortunately, we were on different teams and whenever we played the Dodgers, I prayed J.T. would not be the pitcher. It seemed like he always was; I do not recall me or anyone else ever getting a hit off of J.T. I was on J.T.'s team when we played 8th grade CYO baseball winning the city championship. J.T. moved to North Willow Farms after 8th grade and attended Brebeuf HS his freshman year and transferred to Cathedral HS as a sophomore where we again became classmates. We shared homework assignments almost every morning in the cafeteria before class and continued our friendship. We double dated to our Junior & Senior proms with J.T driving his very nice Ford that he had tuned up like a race car. I believe this is the car J.T. was driving back to Indianapolis from visiting Cathy at IU when he was in a very serious accident just north of Bloomington. After high school J.T. began raising his family and running his business and we did not get to see each other very often. We did get to visit in February 2017 at Mr. Schrage's funeral service. It was as if we were back in school, still best of friends. J.T. was a great friend, someone you knew you could always depend on whenever you were in need. I cherish the memory of all the fun we had growing up. Deepest condolences to Cathy, Christy and Lisa. May He Rest in Peace. Dave Grande"

Steve Bork wrote on Sep 29, 2018:

"Our deepest condolences to Cathy, Lisa and Christy. We have the greatest memories of JT and the Carmel champs, as well as their fabulous scorekeeper! The world will miss JT...it was better place with him in it! Steve & Beth Bork"

Mary Whitmore wrote on Sep 29, 2018:

"We were so sad to hear of J. T.?s passing. We have such fond memories of him from all those years ago and Carmel Softball. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all, and may he Rest In Peace. Tom and Mary Whitmore"

Barry Currier wrote on Sep 29, 2018:

"On behalf of her ABA family, from its earliest days in Indy until right now, may J.T. Rest In Peace. May, in time, all the good memories of a life well lived return to the hearts and minds of the Schrage family that survives him. "

Bob Brower wrote on Sep 29, 2018:

"Words cannot express my deep heart wrenching sadness in losing JT to our world. I loved JT like a brother as we shared so many happy memories coaching together and watching him coach his daughters and mine. We are bonded forever in those magical four years when we coached together at Carmel and were one of the few coaches in IHSAA history to have both our daughters on that same 1994 State Championship team. I feel so sad for Cathy, Lisa and Christy! We will see each other again somewhere, somehow, some day. Bob Brower"