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Carl Robert Schulz, 79, passed away on Tuesday, September 10th, 2024, at his home in Curtice, Ohio. He was born July 11, 1945, to Carl and Emmeret (Porter) Schulz in Toledo, Ohio.

Carl grew up in the West End of Toledo. From an early age, he displayed a knack for sports and a willingness to help others. He graduated from Woodward High School and was an exceptional athlete, lettering in basketball, football, tennis and baseball. Carl earned a baseball scholarship to the University of Toledo, was Captain his last two years and was drafted by the Detroit Tigers in 1967. His professional baseball career as a third baseman took him around the country, where he formed numerous friendships that lasted his lifetime. In 1969, he turned his focus and career to education and coaching. After leading numerous high school teams to multiple championships, Carl led the University of Toledo Rockets baseball team to the University of South Florida Tournament Championship as interim head coach in 1979. His love of athletics and coaching extended to football, and he spent 25 years officiating games at the high school and collegiate levels. Well after his playing days were over, Carl could give detailed stories of specific games or defining experiences with teammates, coaches, or famous athletes he had met and played with.

Carl's nearly 40-year career in education was spent in the Washington Local and Sylvania School districts, working in administration to strengthen policy and advise students. He was stern, but fair, and always quick with a joke. He mentored countless colleagues and helped thousands of kids, believing a good education was paramount to a successful life.

Carl's faith and relationship with Jesus Christ prompted him to become a member of Gideons International in 2008. He especially relished distributing thousands of New Testaments both locally and world-wide, and quickly earned a leadership position within the Toledo East Camp.

Hunting was Carl's passion. Whether fish or fowl, deer or duck (but especially goose), he loved waking before sunrise, pouring a thermos full of coffee, and spending hours with friends or family in a blind. Carl was a great shot, bagging trophy bucks and birds by the dozen each hunting season. He was a true outdoorsman. He enjoyed exciting hunts with his dogs as much as quiet walks around his property and loved sharing his knowledge with family members and friends.

A love of sports, especially all teams originating from Detroit, brought Carl plenty of joy and heartbreak. He adored music and travel. His favorite meal was steak and potatoes. He loved his wife "Cookie" dearly, had a goofy sense of humor, and was a devoted mentor to his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. To know Carl, was to know a man who had lived a full, beautiful life.

Carl is survived by his loving wife of 32 years, Kathryn (Duffy) Schulz, who diligently cared for him until the very end; brother Gary Schulz, sister Pamela (Jason) Schmidt, sons Brant (Emily) Schulz, Chris (René) Downour, daughters Jessica Schulz, Terry (Billy) Fannin, Renee (Mike) Charcoal; grandchildren Cody, Caleb, Cameron, Austin, Samantha, Elena, Holden, and Josephine; great-grandchildren Miles, Micah, and Aurora; great-grandchildren Holden, Miles, Micah, Aurora, and Josephine. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his grandson Joshua Downour.

Friends and family are invited to visit on Sunday, September 15, 2024 from  2:00 - 8:00 p.m. at the Eggleston Meinert & Pavely Funeral Home, 440 S. Coy Road, Oregon, OH 43616. Funeral services will be Monday, September 16, 2024 at 11:30 a.m. at the funeral home with burial to follow at Ottawa Hills Memorial Park, 4210 Central Ave, Toledo, OH 43606.

The family would like to thank Sara and Bob, Vicky and Brad, Joan and Hospice of NWO.