John Edward Schulz

John was born August 11, 1938 in Chehalis Washington to Margaret and Jack Schulz.  He attended schools in Washington and graduated from Puyallup High School.  He loved being in band there playing trombone and making lifelong friends that to this day he kept in touch with.  He loved his younger brother Allan; the two were inseparable.

In the late 70’s early 80’s, while working at Jafco in Everett Washington he met his lifelong companion Lona, with whom he shared a passion for photography and the out of doors.  After three times of proposing, and finally in the soup isle of Safeway, she accepted and became his wife, and their new partnership started a 42 year long bond of each being the others half.

August 29th was the day they came to be a couple under the sight of the Lord in Stanwood Washington; the year was 1981.  That was the year that MTV launched on television and Raiders of the Lost Ark was the #1 movie; however his tastes were more akin to James Taylor and Carly Simon.  The new couple moved to Kennewick Washington; honeymooning for 19 years.

John taught adult Sunday school, he was a lay speaker for United Methodist Church and both were members of the CUP Church in Richland.  John and Lona participated in the Japanese Homestay program for Omari High School, an all-boys vocational school from Tokyo that she coordinated.  One of John’s favorite phrases in Japanese was “Zubon wa hakiage masu” which translated to “pull up your pants” in English; humor was part of his spirit and gift to everyone around him.

His retirement from being a Walmart greeter was on November 4, 2022 which left a large social hole within many hearts that were used to his comical nature, bright smile and infectious charisma.  Even those at other stores in the area would greet him in return when he himself was out shopping and socializing.

John loved trains, it was in his blood from an early age, he loved music and collected hundreds of eclectic albums and tunes on various media, all while still being plugged into the internet and an avid fan of Facebook and YouTube commentary plying his passion for writing and catching the attention of many generations.  He was a fan of JP Patches, Boris S. Wart, and the stand-up Canadian comedian Red-Green and truly was a member of the Possum Lodge in his heart.  He loved to fix things and be handy.

His favorite Whisky was a Peanut Butter Whisky, really anything with peanut butter, Adams old Fashioned flowed in his veins, next to his Peanut Butter and Baked Beans Upside-down Pineapple Cake.

John is survived by his loving wife Lona, preceded by his daughter Gail, two living children; Laura and John; eleven grandchildren and one great grandchild Elena.