John R. Shultz

1949 - 2025

Mount Vernon, WA - John R. Shultz, 76, of Mount Vernon, passed away on October 22, 2025, from complications of Alzheimer's disease. He was such a special person and a much beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend. He will be missed!

John was born in Bellingham, WA to June Thomas and John F. Shultz, the first of their four sons. He graduated from Bellingham High School, class of 1968. He worked at the first original Haggen (Thriftway), prior to enlisting in the U.S. Air Force (1968-1972). He was stationed in Da Nang, Vietnam and Thailand during the war and did maintenance on aircraft radar systems. After receiving an honorable discharge from the military, he attended Western Washington State College, the University of Washington, summer school at Univ of California/Berkeley, and earned his degree in Environmental Design/Architecture from the U of W. John has always been motivated, hard-working and ambitious. He would later attend Law School at Gonzaga U where he earned his Juris Doctor in 1982. He and Connie enjoyed living in Spokane those 4 years, where son John was born, but nothing compares to the beauty of Skagit County, where John has practiced law for many years, devoted to helping his clients.

John met Connie while stationed at George A F Base in California. She was living near Santa Barbara, at the time, and they were both invited to a mutual friend's party in L.A. John went to Vietnam, they lost touch for a couple years, he looked her up again and the rest is history. John and Connie have been married for 51 years. It's been a fun adventure!

John had a passion for snow skiing, each season counting the days until he could hit the slopes of Mount Baker. He was the happiest when he could spend time with family - recreation, birthday parties, travel, picnics at the beach, boating or crabbing. He enjoyed vacations on Maui with family, Alaska cruises, travel to Scotland with friends, and toured Poland, Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia with Connie.

John looked for the good in people. He appreciated a good joke and having a good laugh. He had a "sparkle" in his eyes that will never be forgotten.

John is survived by his wife, Connie Shultz, his children, John A. Shultz and Erika Strickler, his grandchildren, Alex Shultz, Mikayla Shultz and Guy Strickler, his brother Tom Shultz (Renee) and half-brother Steven Shultz (Dhyana). Also, survived by nieces, nephews, his dear mother-in-law, B.J. Elwell, and his brothers-in-law Dan Howe (Marilyn) and Steve Howe (Julie). He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Danny Shultz, brother Alan Shultz and half-brother David Shultz.

A Celebration of Life service will be held on Saturday, January 10, 2026, at 1:00 pm at Mount Vernon Presbyterian Church, with full military honors.