John “Johnny” Schulz of Oak Harbor, Washington, was united with his Lord and Savior on Friday, November 29, 2024. He was born on September 6, 1929 in Horace, Kansas. The youngest of seven children, John was the son of Henry and Ottilia (Schwenk) Schulz. Raised during the Depression, he started working the harvest by the age of nine. In high school he participated in football, basketball, and track. In addition, he worked at the local pool hall to help support his mother.
John joined the Navy in 1950 having never previously seen the ocean. While he was stationed in Oak Harbor, Washington, he met his future wife, Dorothy, on a blind date. They were married in August 1951. He was assigned to a destroyer in the Pacific during the Korean War and honorably discharged in 1954. The next year he attended electrical school in Seattle. In 1956 he joined IBEW Union #191 and worked as an electrician in the area until retirement in 1993.
In the late ‘50s, the couple purchased the property east of Oak Harbor where Dorothy had grown up. John soon built a new house on the property, then later added a shop and new barn. Together they raised 5 children, had a fruit orchard, a vegetable garden, cattle, pigs, and pets. He loved working on his hobby farm.
John supported his kids in 4-H and later was a leader of the Oak Harbor Ranchers 4-H Club. As a family man he attended many of his children’s activities. Later John and Dorothy were season ticket holders to the community concert series.
Vacations were usually by car to visit family and friends, including several trips to Kansas for John’s high school reunions. After retirement they took a cruise from Boston to Montreal and another trip to Branson, Missouri, and saw the musical shows there. Locally, they often attended the Old Time Fiddlers.
John and Dorothy were known for hosting an annual barn party for the Silver Eagles of Family Bible Church. They also regularly visited friends and neighbors, lending a helping hand or enjoying a cup of coffee and conversation.
John was preceded in death by his siblings and his oldest daughter, Gloria Holbrook. He is survived by his wife of 73 years, Dorothy, his children, Keith Schulz (Carol), Paul Schulz, Sharon Kroker (Kit), Timothy Schulz (Dawn), 14 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
A memorial service is scheduled for Monday, December 30 at 1:30 PM at Wallin-Stucky Funeral Home, 1811 NE 16th Avenue, Oak Harbor, Washington 98277.
In lieu of flowers or gifts please make a donation to your favorite charity or better yet do as John would have done and do something for somebody else.
