of Little Rock, AR
November 7, 1943 - November 10, 2025
Captain James Gus Schreiber, MD (James), 82, of Little Rock, Arkansas passed away peacefully on November 10, 2025. Born on November 7, 1943 in Dallas, Texas, James grew up as the fourth of six children and the first son, in a family of three boys and three girls.
A dedicated and compassionate psychiatrist, James devoted his life to helping others. He graduated from North Texas University and earned his medical degree from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School (UTSW). He completed his psychiatry residency at Presbyterian Hospital in Dallas and later served as a faculty member at UTSW.
At 27, James volunteered to serve as a physician in Vietnam, where he served with courage and valor from 1970 to 1971. His exceptional service earned him two Bronze Stars and a Purple Heart, honors that reflected his bravery, compassion and commitment to his fellow soldiers.
After returning from Vietnam, James continued his medical career, treating patients across four states, Texas, Kentucky, Ohio and Indiana, in psychiatric hospitals, jails and private practice settings.
James loved reading, history, philosophy, poetry, dogs, gardening, opera, musicals, people, entertaining, laughter and travel. He was endlessly devoted to doing what he could, when he could, with what he had, for everyone he could help. He was a constant source of love and support, an outstanding son, brother, uncle, father figure, friend and physician.
James did all things only after careful thought and with defined intention. He served everyone quietly and with great humility. Though personally frugal, he was immensely generous, always seeking to enrich the lives of others. His family and friends describe him as courageous, stoic, humble, generous, kind, loyal, selfless and benevolent.
Late in life, at 65, James met and married the love of his life, Mary Geiger of Toledo, Ohio, beginning a joyful 12-year chapter filled with love, laughter and the warmth of her large family.
James is survived by all his siblings, extended family by birth and by marriage, innumerable lifelong friends and many grateful patients. Many of the people who knew him credit him with greatly enhancing and some with saving their lives and they will miss him and continue to love him. He made friends everywhere he went.
James' family is profoundly grateful to those angels on earth who were by his side day and night his last three years and there were many, but especially to Curtis Felps and Kelly Byus of Little Rock.
James will be laid to rest in a small, private family service in a beautiful cemetery that he loved in East Texas in the spring.
''He took the road less traveled, and that has made all the difference.'' Robert Frost.
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10 Condolence(s)
Heidi Stoddard
Wednesday, November 26, 2025
James, you will be greatly missed. Your spirit, laughter, grace, and wisdom with be heavily missed! We are blessed to have been a part of your life! You will be missed here on earth but we know you have joined incredible people up in heaven! We miss and love you!
The Stoddards
Fritz Breckner
Wednesday, November 19, 2025
Rest in peace, James. I will never forget your contagious laughter and your positive mindset. Thank you for all of the great memories!
Gretchen and Hunter Hsu
Friday, November 14, 2025
Rest in peace and love James. You were such a bright and inspiring light in this world. Thank you for all that you taught us and all of those around you. What an accomplished life you led and yet such a humble presence you always were. We are truly better to have known you. Thank you for loving and enriching the life of our Mimi as well. That joyous laughter of yours is now filling the heavens! ❤️
Peter Breckner Family
Friday, November 14, 2025
James was a truly special man, one of the last true classical gentlemen. We loved spending time with him. Our fond memories of him are many, most of which involve James’s gift for meaningful dialogue. Peter and James spent significant time in their shared love of history, Laura in deep conversation of shared faith expanded by James’s unmatched biblical foundation and knowledge. Not only was James a man of knowledge and faith, he also had a joy about him that always kept Mimi, and everyone else around him, dancing and smiling.
Lily talks fondly of “Mimi’s James,” a differentiation required to distinguish him from her brother James. When Laura was pregnant, James quickly became the chosen name for Lily’s brother due to the biblical significance and for the truly special James’s in our lives, including James Schreiber. A name to live up to in character and conviction.
We miss James but are comforted by the assurance and image of him being greeted into heaven by Mimi, and our Lord and Savior. He continues to be an inspiration to us all.
With love,
The Breckner Family
Maria do Carmo Lopes Castro
Thursday, November 13, 2025
Rest in peace Dr. James. My deepest appreciation for you and Ms. Mary. With love from Maria
Jo McDougall
Thursday, November 13, 2025
A generous, brilliant and kind man, James was a dear friend and remains in my heart forever. I am so fortunate to have known him for so many years.
Carrie Breckner
Wednesday, November 12, 2025
Beautiful tribute to an incredible man! We are forever blessed and better people for having James a part of our family. He and my Mom enjoyed many years of pure love, laughter and companionship. Both of their lives were better and more enriched together as a couple. He taught me and my family so very much about unconditional love, patience, humility, loyalty and spirituality and we will forever be grateful for those life lessons as we go forward in our lives each and every day. James would light up a room with his smile and had a wonderful contagious laugh. In so many ways he was my Mom’s angel on earth and now he has gained his heavenly angel wings. Rest in peace James. Thank you for you!!
Curtis Felps
Wednesday, November 12, 2025
Rest in peace My Best Friend may you rest a lifetime with the angels in heaven. Love you James!!!!! 😇
Michael Desselle
Wednesday, November 12, 2025
Great tribute to a humble and unsung man of distinction; may you rest in peace Uncle James!
Susan S Collins
Wednesday, November 12, 2025
Rest in peace, dear James. I've loved you always. Your sister, Susan