Michael Stephen Schwartz, 57, died unexpectedly on December 28, 2019, after a 3 month battle with stage IV lung cancer. Mike is survived by his wife, Carolyn Schwartz, of Tucker, GA, daughter Megan Shelley (Caleb) of Aynor, SC, son Craig Schwartz (fiancée Laura) of Tucker, Georgia, mother Patricia Schwartz of Belle Plaine, MN/Yuma, AZ, brothers David (Cindy), Terry (Melissa), Kevin and sisters, Cathy (Tim) Elness and Julie (Dale) Tesch. He was preceded in death by his father LeRoy Schwartz of Belle Plaine, MN, foster brother Steve (Jayne) Dumas, and mother-in-law Jackie Shepler of Racine, WI.
Mike was born on February 28, 1962, in Oakland, CA, and adopted by Pat and LeRoy Schwartz. The Schwartz family lived in Belle Plaine, MN, where Mike graduated from Belle Plaine High School in 1980. He attended St. John’s University – Collegeville, MN, and graduated from the University of Wisconsin - Madison in 1984 with a degree in Meteorology.
He married his best friend and partner, Carolyn Shepler, in 1985. After moving to Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN, Mike began working for Northwest Airlines as a meteorologist. The couple welcomed 2 children, Megan and Craig, into their home. His children remember him as a kind, hardworking and loving father who enjoyed participating in all of their extracurricular activities. He loved family game nights which included Mario Kart, Monopoly and Killer Bunnies. The kids were instructed to never sell Dad a monopoly otherwise he would dominate the game. Mike was always eager to perform in the father-daughter dance at Megan’s dance recitals and made annual trips to Statesboro, GA, for her sorority’s Daddy-Daughter Weekends. Mike was also an active leader in Craig’s Boy Scout troop. His favorite activities with the Boy Scouts were the pinewood derby, camping trips and teaching the boys new things to earn merit badges. Mike also enjoyed being a band dad at St. Pius X Catholic High School, well known for being the first one to an event and the last one to leave.
In 2009, Mike began working for Delta Airlines and moved the family to Tucker, GA. Mike was passionate about Delta Airlines. He was always finding new innovations in the OCC world and was loved and adored by his Delta family. During his time at Delta Airlines he received the Chairman Award - the highest honor a Delta employee can receive. On the morning of December 29, at their usual morning meeting, the OCC team had a moment of silence in honor of Mike, after which he was given a 3 minute standing ovation - typically given to employees on their last day before retirement.
Mike was an amazing individual, accomplished at scuba diving. He had recently become a PADI Master Scuba Diver, a rating fewer than 2% of all divers achieve. He loved the Minnesota Vikings, hot weather, his pool and playing in his yard. He was especially fond of his 3 palm trees surrounding the pool. He was an active and dedicated member of Holy Cross Catholic Church.
The Funeral Mass will be Saturday, January 4, at 12:00pm at Holy Cross Catholic Church with Fr. Jude Michael Krill officiating. A brief visitation will be held immediately prior to Mass at 11:00 am with a reception following afterward. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Mike's life. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to St. Pius X Catholic High School, Holy Cross Catholic Church or the American Cancer Society. The family would like to thank everyone for their thoughts, prayers, socks, hats, meals and yard/pool care during this time.
Holy Cross Catholic Church
3773 Chamblee Tucker Rd.
Atlanta, GA 30084
...God has made a way for me.
~ Mike
