Passed away on October 22, 2018 in Spokane, WA. His lifelong home was Reardan, WA. He was born on June 15, 1932 in Spokane, WA to Hugo and Frieda Schulz.
Keith graduated from Reardan High School and attended Washington State University as a member of the baseball team. Keith and Carol Lightle were married in 1953 and they raised their six children on the family farm.
Keith was a past member and supporter of the Reardan Future Farmers of America, Reardan Lions Club, Spring Creek Grange, Washington Cattlemen’s Association, Inland Empire (and American) Shorthorn Association and Washington Association of Wheat Growers. He, Carol and the family regularly attended the United Methodist Church in Reardan and in their later years, attended the Spokane First Church of the Nazarene.
As a fourth generation American farmer, Keith was a true steward of the land and he considered himself to be progressive when it came to soil and water conservation techniques, having installed erosion terraces, planting grass waterways, implementing chisel plowing and spring re-cropping. One of his favorite Sunday pastimes was driving with members of the family around the neighborhood viewing the progress of the wheat and barley crops. He was an early adapter of self-propelled combines, four-wheel drive tractors and on-farm grain storage.
The family farm was also home to a well-regarded herd of Registered Polled Shorthorns, crossbred swine and in his later years, Keith was passionate about his sheep. He was a member of the Spokane Area Sheep Producers. The annual sheep shearing day was a true family party! Even in his latest years, you could find Keith working hard delivering the lambs and making hay. The sheep chores were one of his daily purposes in life.
In 1960, the Shorthorn World published an article about Keith and his father, Hugo, being named Lincoln County Cattlemen of the Year.
Keith Schulz enjoyed bowling, was an avid fan of the Seattle Mariners, Seattle Seahawks, Gonzaga Bulldogs and Washington State Cougars, attending the 2003 Rose Bowl game. He could regularly be seen attending the State B Basketball Tournament in Spokane, having participated himself in 1950.
But Keith Schulz especially loved watching his large family participate and excel in sporting, church, FFA and extracurricular school events. One of his most rewarding accomplishments in life was having his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren involved in the farm and around him and Carol on a regular basis.
Keith Schulz, Sr. is survived by his wife, Carol, six children, Gary (Kathy) Schulz, Roy (Kim) Schulz, Connie Anderson, Jerry (Suzanne) Schulz, Jill Nelson and Dr. Keith (Heather) Schulz, Jr. along with 15 grandchildren (Geoff Schulz, Kevin Schulz, Stephanie Abiss, Justin Schulz, Amanda Schulz, Breanne LaMoureaux, Kyle Schulz, Cory Schulz, Scott Schulz, Erin Schulz, James Schulz, Ryan Schulz, Jacquelynn Schulz, Lauren Schultz, and George Ramirez, Jr. and 11 great grandchildren. He is also survived by one sister, Janice Jones of Spokane WA. He is preceded in death by his parents and one great granddaughter, Archaea.
A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, November 3, 2018 at 11:00 AM at the Reardan United Methodist Church, 155 S Oak Street, Reardan, WA with Pastor Bill Ward officiating. Memorials may be made to the Reardan Lions Club, P. O. Box 106, Reardan, WA 99029. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.stratefuneralhome.com for the Schulz family. STRATE FUNERAL HOME, Davenport, WA is caring for the family.
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