Lt. Col. Rodney James Schulz, U.S. Army (retired), 84, of Berryville, Va., went to be with Jesus on Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2023, surrounded by his loving family and his faithful dogs, “Sugar Plum” and “Tucker.”
Visitation will be Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023, at Enders and Shirley Funeral Home in Berryville. The family will receive friends from 12:30-2 p.m. Funeral services conducted by Pastor Kelly Schroder will begin at 2 o’clock. Interment with full military honors will be held at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.
Rod was born on Jan. 10, 1939 in Covington, Ky., son of the late Heinrich Schulz and Friederike Gesine Roetcher Schulz. Rod enjoyed sports playing football and basketball in school and later with his kids. During college at Eastern Kentucky University, he was heavily involved in ROTC and Pershing Rifles, completing his education with a master’s degree from The College of William and Mary. He served his country for 20 years in the Army including two tours in Vietnam, retiring as a highly decorated Lt. Colonel. He continued to serve his country in the Civil Service for another 20 years retiring as the Deputy Assistant Commandant and Senior Logistics Management Specialist of USAALS.
Rod is survived by his beloved wife and childhood sweetheart of 62 years, Diana McGuire Schulz; four children, Susan Lynn Hinson and husband Bob of Gloucester, Va., Cara Diane Estep and husband Steve of New River, Ariz., Saundra Lucille Colantonio and husband Ron of Berryville, and Rodney James Schulz Jr. and wife Mindy of Haymarket, Va.; 11 grandchildren, Jessica Burrage, Robert Hinson Jr., Katherine George, Dena Bullard, Samantha Estep, Zachary Estep, Nicholas Rehder, Morgan Rehder, Victoria Field, Hayden Schulz, and Aelin Schulz, and eight great-grandchildren. Rod was preceded in death by a son, Robert Lee Schulz; grandson, Tristan Schulz, and several brothers and sisters.
Memorial contributions may be made to Myelodysplastic Syndrome Foundation-mds-foundation.org.
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