John “Johnny” Schulz

January 2, 2025

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, the youngest of seven children, John was the son of Henry and Ottilia (Schwenk) Schulz. Raised in Tribune during the Depression, he started working the harvest by the age of nine. He graduated from high school in 1948 having participated in football, basketball, and track. He played center on the undefeated football team his senior year. In addition, he worked on farms and at the local pool hall to help support his mother.

John joined the Navy in 1950 having never previously seen the ocean or knowing how to swim. He passed the military swim test by dog paddling around the pool. While he was stationed in Oak Harbor, Washington, he met his future wife, Dorothy, on a blind date. They were married on August 30, 1951. He was assigned to a destroyer in the Pacific during the Korean War. John finished his military time stationed at various California bases until being honorably discharged in 1954.

The family returned to Oak Harbor where he logged for a year. Then John spent a summer farming in Kansas prior to taking electrical training at Edison Technical School in Seattle. In 1956, John 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, putting up his own hay and caring for the cows.

John and Dorothy enjoyed square dancing early in their marriage. 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, often treating others to share the experience with them.

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, to meet up with long-time friends and see 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, helping with tasks at hand or enjoying a cup of coffee and conversation. Additionally, John helped care for Dorothy’s mother in their home the last few years of her life.

John was a beloved husband, father, uncle, grandfather, great grandfather, friend, neighbor and foreman. He 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 was held Monday, December 30 at 1:30 p.m. It was held 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.