Don Ray Schulz

Don Ray Schulz, 49, of McDade, surrounded by family and friends and in the loving arms of his devoted wife and son, passed away peacefully and went to his heavenly home on Tuesday, November 16, 2010. Don fought a brave and courageous battle with cancer.

Don was born in Bastrop, Texas on April 28, 1961, to Irma (Ihlo) and Rudolf Schulz.
He was a long-time faithful member of Saint Andrew Lutheran Church in Paint Creek, Texas, where he was baptized on June 11, 1961 by Reverend Luis Karcher, and confirmed on May 25, 1975 by Reverend Alvin Bohls. He recently became a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Elgin.

Don married his high school sweetheart, Holly (Rother) Schulz on August 11, 1984. They were blessed with one son, Zane.

Don, a loving husband and dedicated father, enjoyed fishing and hunting with his son, Zane, and treasured spending time with his family. At family gatherings, Don could always be found in the kitchen organizing the meal, cracking jokes and pulling pranks. He also never missed an opportunity to indulge in a game of dominoes, as he was a fierce domino player.

Don was a man of many talents; a Mr. Fix It. He took particular pride in raising cattle and tending to his horses, and enjoyed raising other animals as well. He kept Holly and Zane guessing on what he might bring home next: chickens, quail, goats, ducks, rabbits, just to name a few.

Don was light-hearted, fun-loving, had a heart of gold and was always available to help a friend in need. As a natural born salesman, he always had a deal on the table, trading favors and lending a helping hand. He was the first to volunteer when a job needed to be done.

He was an active member of the Giddings Volunteer Fire Department, as well as many community organizations and events, where most often he could be found at the barbeque pits.

As a young man, he was known throughout the Giddings area for laying floor covering, and for the past seven years was employed with Goodson-Voight Lumber Company, until early 2010, when his illness made it too difficult for him to continue working.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Irma (Ihlo) Schulz and Rudolf Schulz, and one brother, Alton J. Schulz.

Don is survived by his wife and son, Holly and Zane; four brothers, Earl and wife Donna; Melvin and wife Jeanette; Roy and wife Elizabeth; Lenard and wife Taronda; sister-in-law, Rosie Schulz; two sisters, Marilyn Baca and husband William; and Barbara Hallmark and husband Johnny; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Willard and Sandra Rother; sister-in-law, Candace Kieschnick and husband Ronnie; brother-in-law Aaron Rother and wife Cindy, a host of nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, and countless friends. He will be deeply missed.

Memorials may be made to the Giddings Volunteer Fire Department, Saint Andrew Lutheran Church, Sacred Heart Catholic Church, or Wonders and Worries of Austin.

Visitation will begin at 6:00 PM on Friday with the Rosary begining at 7 p.m. at Elgin Providence Funeral Home on Friday, November 19, 2010, with visitation before and after the devotion. Celebration of Life Service was Saturday, November 20, 2010, at 10 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, with Father George Joseph officiating. Interment followed at Paint Creek Cemetery in Paint Creek, Texas.

Arrangements entrusted to Elgin Providence Funeral Home.