Kenneth Lewis Shultz's Obituary
Kenneth Lewis Shultz Born: July 25, 1936 Syracuse, New York
Died: November 28, 2007 St Petersburg, Florida Authored by his wife and children "Our Stories are Interwoven. What you do is part of My Story; What I do is Part of Yours." In the end, the true measure of a man is not the wealth he leaves behind, but the richness of the memories he gave to others. In that respect, Ken was the most successful man we know.
Ken was born to Myles & Rhoda Shultz and greeted into the world by his older brother Bill who would be his life long best friend. Growing up he loved swimming, riding his bike or being on grandpa Smiths farm. When asked what famous person he admired most he replied, "I guess the famous person I admired most was my father, he could do or make anything and was always teaching me something."
He graduated from East Syracuse High School and married his childhood sweetheart, Greta Hanson. They had 4 children, Gail, Jill, Kim & Scott. Ken was a "Dad's Dad" long before it was cool to be one. He changed diapers, made bottles and wiped runny noses. He always had time for his kids, running us from dance classes to bowling to football and back again. He attended every event we participated in. Our fondest memories are of Sunday evenings when Dad would pop the popcorn and we would all line up laying on the floor using Dad's belly as our pillow and watch The Ed Sullivan Show. Weekends were the best as we would all head to Grandma Shultz's house or Aunt Jean & Uncle Bill's and all the cousins would play together. Our summers were spent at our cottage on Crystal Lake in Upstate NY. They were filled with water skiing, mini bike riding, playing card games, making forts in the fields, fishing and sitting around the camp fire. We were truly a blessed, very close & loving family and always loved Dad's words of wisdom. He taught us to "roll with the punches" and that family always came first. He danced at all of his children's weddings and held all of his grandchildren as soon as they were born. In 1980 after 23 years of marriage he lost the love of his life, which he affectionately called "Gret" or "Shorty" to a tragic car accident. Shortly after mom's death and just when life seemed unbearable God smiled on dad and he was given what most people never get, not just a 2nd chance at love but a second love of his life, Ginny. And just when he thought he was all done raising his kids he also gained 2 stepsons, Johnny & Robbie. He was a true mentor and loved these boys as his own. The lessons Dad passed on to all his children and wife, Ginny: 1) Never go to bed mad at each other even if it meant you were up for 48 hours 2) Always say "I Love You" because it may be your last chance and it's the last memory you will have 3) Always smile even if someone is being a jerk because in the end you're the better person In recent years Dad loved his life, living in Village Green and filling this chapter of his life with Crime Watch, Volunteer Road Patrol with the St. Petersburg Police Department, visiting with his many friends in the park, listening to his police scanner and hanging out with his best friend Micky Beers whom he affectionately called "Chrome Dome".
He loved his all of his grandchildren and recently became "Papa" to his 2 youngest girls, Gracie & Mallory. He would sit and watch whatever was on the Disney Channel with them, in fact so much so that sometimes they would be gone and you would find him still watching....for hours!
When asked once what the 5 most important lessons he had learned in life responded: 1) Tell the truth no matter what happens 2) Respect your elders 3) Women always come first, never hit girls or women. 4) Respect other people's property 5) Never steal Dad was the most honest loving man we ever knew. He had the most wonderful smile and disposition. He was a role model as a father, husband, grandfather, brother and friend.
We love and miss him dearly, and look forward to the day when we can all be joined together again.
What’s your fondest memory of Kenneth?
What’s a lesson you learned from Kenneth?
Share a story where Kenneth's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Kenneth you’ll never forget.
How did Kenneth make you smile?