Melvin Leroy Schultz

Mel attended school in Plainview, Nebraska. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1949, where he served 3 years as a seaman on the USS Rochester during the Korean War. Mel was honorably discharged from the navy in 1954.

Mel returned home and spent 3 months deciding what his next adventure would be.

He enlisted in the U.S. Airforce in April of 1954. Mel was training at Lowry Airforce base in Colorado, when he met his future wife Myrna, on a blind date. They were married on December 18,1954, in Arvada, Colorado. At the time, Myrna was a widow and the mother of three young children: Linda, Gary, and Vickie. Following their marriage, Mel adopted all three children.

After Mel and Myrna married, they were stationed at Lincoln Air Force base, in Nebraska. The family continued to grow when their son Gene was born in 1955.

He spent the next 16 years serving at various bases around the country, including 3 years in England and 1 year in Vietnam.

Mel was deployed to Vietnam in 1968, as an advisor. He served one tour, after which he made the decision to retire from the Air Force in 1970, at the rank of Senior Master Sargeant.

Mel then began a new chapter of his career, by joining the Arvada Colorado Post Office as a mail carrier. He dedicated many years to this role until his retirement in 1992. Next, Mel and Myrna spent a few years managing a storage unit part time. Mel then went on to provide building maintenance at an office building complex in Arvada, for several more years, before completely retiring.

In retirement, Mel and Myrna enjoyed vacationing at their time share in Pagosa Springs, sightseeing in the mountains, playing cards and gardening. They loved spending time with their children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, including many family reunions. Mel also enjoyed many years of pheasant hunting and several black powder hunting trips. He also belonged to a several poker clubs.

Mel and Myrna were married for 65 years, before Myrna passed away in 2019.

Mel spent his last two years, at a senior retirement community, in Loveland Colorado.

Mel had four children, Linda Schnering (Don), Gary Schultz (Barbara), Vickie Regala, and Gene Schultz (Janet). He had twelve grandchildren, and fifteen great grandchildren.

Melvin was predeceased by his wife Myrna, his daughter Vickie, his parents, and his brother Duane.