Donald Max Shultz

Donald Max Shultz, 85, passed away on December 6, 2014. Don was born to Mildred and Dewey Shultz on November 1, 1929 in Topeka, Kansas, the second of four sons. He married Susie Shultz, “the wife of his youth,” on November 14, 1953, having recently celebrated 61 years together. Don and Susie have three children: Camie Fetz and her husband, John; Brad Shultz, and Todd Shultz and his wife, Karen. They have five grandchildren: Ryan Fetz and his wife, Sarah; Ansley Fetz; Anna Marissa Fetz; Daniel Shultz; and Jon Marc Shultz. They also have two great-grandsons: Jacob and David Fetz. He graduated with a B.S. in Business in 1952 from Abilene Christian University where he later completed a Certification in Ministerial Counseling in 1990. He was an executive with Ford Motor Company for 32 years, holding positions in sales and marketing in Houston, Detroit, Oklahoma City, Chicago, Atlanta, Cologne, Germany, and San Jose, California. In 1987, he retired at age 57 and returned to Atlanta to fulfill his desire to work in full-time ministry at North Atlanta Church of Christ. Don’s deep love for Jesus Christ and for people of all walks is what characterized his life. He had a vision for the founding of a counseling center that was later realized in the Genesis Counseling Center. Don lived to love and serve those whom the Lord brought into his path. Associates from his days at Ford continue to recount stories of his impact on their careers and lives. Friends from across the country describe his way of leading by example in showing love and extending grace to hundreds of people. His family knows him as a loving and ever-faithful husband, loving and always-strong father, and as a loving and gentle grandfather and great-grandfather. While his leadership talents and skills were recognized by his rapid rise at Ford Motor, by his appointment to the Board of his alma mater, Abilene Christian University, by his years of service as an Elder at Campbell Church of Christ in California, then North Atlanta Church of Christ, and by his position on the Board of Greater Atlanta Christian School, it was his quiet but purposeful servant leader characteristics which endeared him to his family, friends and co-workers. Don could be counted on for a gentle answer that was seasoned with grace, love and wisdom. His love for so many individuals and his dedication to the church and Christian schools was merely the overflow of his heart for the Lord. He shared in the heart of Jesus in his compassion for others, earnestly seeking redemption and restoration, believing that Jesus came to bring good news to the afflicted, to bind up the brokenhearted, to set the captives free. It was out of the realization that he had been saved by grace that Don spent his life in service and love for the people whom God placed in his path, and he received great joy in the knowledge that he was used to impact the lives of others whom God loved so much. To God be the Glory!

He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Susie Shultz, and three children: daughter, Camie Fetz and her husband, John; two sons, Brad Shultz, and Todd Shultz and his wife, Karen, two brothers, Larry Shultz, and Ron Shultz and his wife, Gwynn; five grandchildren, Ryan Fetz and his wife, Sarah, Ansley Fetz, Anna Marissa Fetz, Daniel Shultz, and Jon Marc Shultz; two great-grandsons, Jacob and David Fetz, and a number of nieces and nephews. Celebration of Life Service will be Wednesday, December 10, at 2 pm at North Atlanta Church of Christ, 5676 Roberts Drive, Dunwoody, GA, 30338. Visitation will be Tuesday, December 9, 6-8 pm at Sandy Springs Chapel, 136 Mount Vernon Highway NE, Sandy Springs, GA, 30328. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to North Atlanta Church of Christ or Greater Atlanta Christian School. or Abeline Christian University.