June 16, 2020 at 4:29 p.m.
Ray Shultz
Obituary
Ray Leon Shultz, 72, sadly passed away at home on May 23, 2020. He was a 19-year resident of Las Cruces, New Mexico.
Ray was born to Edith Mae and Paul Shultz in Portland, Indiana, on Feb. 25, 1948.
Raised on a farm, he learned valuable life lessons that he willingly shared a bit later with his son. After graduating high school in Bryant, Ray went on to complete his college years at Taylor University. There he received his bachelor’s degree in education. While at Taylor, he enjoyed his time on the cross country and track teams. A bicycle trip coast to coast with the school’s Wandering Wheels had always been a special memory.
Ray joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 1970 and really treasured his time as a helicopter pilot and instructor. While in flight school, he met his future wife Wanda Gaines and married four months later in 1972. In 1977, they were blessed with their only child Jason.
In 1979, he transferred to the U.S. Coast Guard and continued flying, living on the edge with the mission of search and rescue. His duty stations while in the service included Okinawa, Japan, Pensacola, Florida, Astoria, Oregon, and Kodiak, Alaska, with retirement out of Savannah, Georgia, as a lieutenant commander in 1991. Ray received the Coast Guard Commendation Medal with Operational Distinguishing Service and two Gold Stars, the Coast Guard Meritorious Unit Commendation with Operational Distinguishing Device and the Coast Guard Special Operations Service Ribbon, among others.
Retirement took Ray to Washougal, Washington, for the next 10 years. During this time there, he returned to flying, joining Life Flight in Portland, Oregon. He later moved to Bastrop, Texas, for a short period, then onto their present home in Las Cruces where he spent seven years flying for Southwest Medivac.
Ray’s true passion in life was traveling, and he visited more than 30 countries. Many knew him to hop a plane and travel halfway across the world just for a good cup of coffee and a beautiful view. His adventures always had him returning home with many tales to share in his letters to his family and friends.
Ray was preceded in death by his mother Edith Mae; his father Paul Shultz; and stepmother Barbara Shultz.
Ray is survived by his wife of 48 years, Wanda; his son Army Lt. Col. Jason Shultz (Dallas); sisters Darlene McKinney (John), Phyllis Bickel (Wayne) and Trudy Baidinger (Bill); brother JD Shultz; grandchildren Aspen and Cody; and several nieces and nephews.
Services were Monday, June 1, 2020, at La Paz-Graham’s Funeral Home, 555 West Amador, Las Cruces, New Mexico. Visitation was held prior to services.
To sign an online guestbook, visit LaPaz-Grahams.com.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to The Independence Fund, Wounded Warriors or a charity of your choice.
Ray was born to Edith Mae and Paul Shultz in Portland, Indiana, on Feb. 25, 1948.
Raised on a farm, he learned valuable life lessons that he willingly shared a bit later with his son. After graduating high school in Bryant, Ray went on to complete his college years at Taylor University. There he received his bachelor’s degree in education. While at Taylor, he enjoyed his time on the cross country and track teams. A bicycle trip coast to coast with the school’s Wandering Wheels had always been a special memory.
Ray joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 1970 and really treasured his time as a helicopter pilot and instructor. While in flight school, he met his future wife Wanda Gaines and married four months later in 1972. In 1977, they were blessed with their only child Jason.
In 1979, he transferred to the U.S. Coast Guard and continued flying, living on the edge with the mission of search and rescue. His duty stations while in the service included Okinawa, Japan, Pensacola, Florida, Astoria, Oregon, and Kodiak, Alaska, with retirement out of Savannah, Georgia, as a lieutenant commander in 1991. Ray received the Coast Guard Commendation Medal with Operational Distinguishing Service and two Gold Stars, the Coast Guard Meritorious Unit Commendation with Operational Distinguishing Device and the Coast Guard Special Operations Service Ribbon, among others.
Retirement took Ray to Washougal, Washington, for the next 10 years. During this time there, he returned to flying, joining Life Flight in Portland, Oregon. He later moved to Bastrop, Texas, for a short period, then onto their present home in Las Cruces where he spent seven years flying for Southwest Medivac.
Ray’s true passion in life was traveling, and he visited more than 30 countries. Many knew him to hop a plane and travel halfway across the world just for a good cup of coffee and a beautiful view. His adventures always had him returning home with many tales to share in his letters to his family and friends.
Ray was preceded in death by his mother Edith Mae; his father Paul Shultz; and stepmother Barbara Shultz.
Ray is survived by his wife of 48 years, Wanda; his son Army Lt. Col. Jason Shultz (Dallas); sisters Darlene McKinney (John), Phyllis Bickel (Wayne) and Trudy Baidinger (Bill); brother JD Shultz; grandchildren Aspen and Cody; and several nieces and nephews.
Services were Monday, June 1, 2020, at La Paz-Graham’s Funeral Home, 555 West Amador, Las Cruces, New Mexico. Visitation was held prior to services.
To sign an online guestbook, visit LaPaz-Grahams.com.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to The Independence Fund, Wounded Warriors or a charity of your choice.
Top Stories
9/11 NEVER FORGET Mobile Exhibit
Chartwells marketing
September 17, 2024 7:36 a.m.
Events
250 X 250 AD