Maurice Schooler

1934 - 2017

Maurice Schooler was born April 2, 1934 in Fairfax, Missouri to Dale K. and Lura Lea Schooler.

A memorial mass was celebrated Saturday 16, 2017 at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church. Celebrant was Pastor John Valdez, concelebrants were Monsignor Harold Waldow and Rev. Jim Schmitmeyer. Private family interment was held at Llano Cemetery. Arrangements are by Schooler Funeral Home, 4100 S. Georgia St.

The family moved to Amarillo in 1946. Maurice graduated from Amarillo High School in 1952 and then from St. Louis College of Mortuary Science. He served in the United States Navy and married Mary Koehler in 1959.

In 1962, he and longtime friend, Mack Gordon started Schooler-Gordon Funeral Home. At its peak the partners owned eleven funeral homes, a life insurance company and Memory Gardens Cemetery.

Maurice was very active in the community and served the people of the Panhandle in many capacities. He was a past president of the Better Business Bureau, the Panhandle Funeral Directors Association, the Amarillo Club, The Serra Club, and the American Cancer Society. In addition he served on the board of directors of the Texas Funeral Directors Association and most recently the Mary E. Bivins Foundation.

Maurice had a love for travel and was fortunate enough to travel the globe with Mary. He seemed happiest when spending time with family and friends. He treasured time spent at the family's cabin in Colorado and told stories of his big adventure, riding his Harley with a group of Amarillo friends to Alaska and back.

Maurice had a passion for people. His peers recognized his exceptional qualities and awarded him Panhandle Funeral Director of the Year. Maurice was a leader and set a very high standard of professionalism, compassion, and ethics in the funeral industry. He was a mentor and friend to many currently working in the funeral industry today.

He is survived by his wife Mary; three children, Jim Schooler of Amarillo, Suzanne Wendt of Chandler, Arizona and Tom Schooler of Amarillo; and five grandchildren, Erin, Koehler and Gus Wendt and Ashley and Emily Schooler.

The family suggests memorials be made to Heal the City, 609 S. Carolina St, Amarillo, Texas 79106; Olivia's Angels, P.O. Box 950, Amarillo, Texas 79105 or Immaculate Heart of Mary Building Fund, 411 Ware Ave, Groom, Texas 79039.