David Charles Schulte Sr.

CLINTON — David Charles Schulte Sr., 76, of Clinton, passed away on Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2022 at Sampson Regional Medical Center.

Born in St. Louis, Missouri, to the late Arthur Henry and Mona Mae Lynne-Schulte on Dec. 27, 1945. David was a graduate of Kirkwood High School, in St. Louis, MO, and attended Missouri University.

His journey as an entrepreneur began with selling bows as a high school student. The local high school bought his bow business and equipment for $500.00. The school continued his work as an annual fundraiser. Upon graduating high school, David enlisted into the US Navy Reserves. In 1974, after serving, David joined Warner Lambert Pharmaceutical - now Pfizer Pharmaceutical. After 14 dedicated years and 14 relocations, David left with the position of Vice President of Sales and was recruited by Warner Communications. He built a sales force from scratch to mass market Ralph Lauren and Gloria Vanderbilt fragrances. In less than three years, sales were over $100,000,000 and the company was purchased by L'Oreal (Paris). He was relocated to London to develop fragrances in the UK. He was then sent back to the United States as General Manager, L'Oreal (USA). After a year in this position, he was relocated to Puerto Rico as L'Oreal President/General Manager for South America, Duty Free, and Caribbean. David was recognized as "Best Business Man of the Year" of the Caribbean for several years in a row. He spent seven years in this position; during this time, he met the love of his life, Windy, and couldn't live a day without her.

In 1992, David and Windy moved back to the United States and built their current home in Clinton, across from Windy's parents, Melvin and Gaynelle Shipp. David and Windy welcomed his parents, Arthur and Mona to Clinton and took care of them in the later years of their lives. David's entrepreneurial journey continued when he purchased a Belgian chocolate factory which imported several products from South Africa and obtained distribution in Sam's Club and Costco before selling the business. In 2005, David and Windy purchased Commercial Printing, a 57-year-old printing company in Sampson County. The Schulte family grew the business, now International Minute Press, which serves 22 states and most major companies in the area.

More than a businessman, David was a loving family man, devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend. Those he loved he loved fiercely, and he will be greatly missed. His legacy will live on through his loved ones left behind.

David is survived by his loving wife, Windy Shipp Schulte, of 30 years; daughter, Christa C. Schulte of Waleska, GA; son David C. Schulte Jr. of Santa Monica, CA; daughter Marina S. Schulte and fiancé Curtis W. Smith Jr. of Raleigh, NC; son Andrey H. Schulte and wife Melissa M. of Clinton, NC; three grandchildren and one great-grandchild; two brothers, Arthur (Drew) A. Schulte of Sarasota, FL and Mark S. Schulte of Woodstock, GA.

David is preceded in death by two sisters, Pamela S. Schrader and Lynne S. Crowder.

A Memorial Service will be held at Grove Park Baptist Church on Sunday, Dec. 11, at 2 p.m. with Dr. Dennis Bazemore and Rev. Cameron Dunn officiating. The family will receive friends immediately following the service, at The Schulte Homeplace.

Royal-Hall is honored to serve the Schulte family.