Douglas Ronald Schulz

Doug was born on July 22, 1952, in Ennis, Montana, to Ron and Ruth Schulz. During his childhood, his family relocated first to Ashland, Montana, before ultimately settling in Monte Vista, Colorado.

Doug graduated from Monte Vista High School in 1970. He went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts in history with a focus on education from Colorado State University in 1975. He also earned a Master of Arts degree in Public Administration from the University of Colorado in Denver in 1990. After college, Doug began work as a counselor at a residential treatment center for juvenile offenders in Denver, Colorado. There, he met another counselor, Diane Courant, who became the love of his life.

On August 25, 1979, Doug and Diane were married at Risen Christ Catholic Church in Denver. Together, they had one son, Gregory, and were married for 45 years. Doug began working for Colorado’s Division of Youth Corrections as a counselor, later advancing to administration and eventually retiring in 2010.

His caring, outgoing, and loving personality helped him build many close relationships with family and friends. In addition to being a devoted husband and father, Doug also volunteered at an elementary school, helping students with reading. Along with Diane, he joined a cooking group with other couples in their Littleton neighborhood.

Doug was an avid runner who completed 10Ks and half marathons, and loved fishing, hiking, camping, and skiing. He also found joy in playing tennis, golf, pickleball, and was a regular playing pick-up basketball games at the YMCA. Doug loved getting lost in mystery and thriller novels and listening to Classic Rock. He was a great cook and baker, and a passionate fan of CSU and Colorado’s professional sports teams, especially the Denver Broncos.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Diane, and his parents, Ron and Ruth (Mittelstaedt) Schulz.

Doug is survived by his son Gregory; his sister Betsy Schulz (Brian) and nephews Devin (Fiona) and their sons, Henry and Charlie and Ethan (Raena) and their daughters, Ryan and Rory; his brother Paul Schulz (Joan) and nephew Joel (Alison); his brother Jim Schulz (Misty) and nieces Cecily (Mathew) and their kids, Riley and Ruth, Farrell (Wesley), Avalyn (Matthew), and nephew Jakob; his brother Keith Schulz (Terri) and niece Lily (Hope). He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Mary Billings; and his nephew, Tyler Norwood (Allie), and their sons, Madden and Kaycen.