Ronald SCHULTZ

SCHULTZ, Ronald Joseph On February 6, 2023 the world became a sadder place with the passing of Ronald J. Schultz. He was born in Yonkers, New York on December 20, 1938 to first-generation Americans Joseph George Suizdak and Marie Havrilko Suizdak. His family would later adopt the Americanized surname of Schultz and moved their family to Clearwater Beach, where Joseph opened the Beach 5 & 10. Ron was a skilled raconteur. He loved telling the story of proposing to Diann, his 'Trophy Wife' of 56 years, while kissing her foot the moment he met her. Professionally, Ron was a fighter. He started doing research at the Pinellas County Property Appraiser's office while working on the dissertation for his doctorate and decided he could do a better job. He ran for his first public office in 1976 as a Democrat and won. He was appointed by Gov. Ruben Askew to finish out his predecessor's term of office and was re-elected for three more terms. He took those skills to Citrus County, where Gov. Bob Martinez appointed him to finish his predecessor's term and was elected three more times before retiring. Retirement did not suit Ron; he was elected to the Florida House as the Representative for District 43 where he served for three years. He was an honorable politician who truly worked for the good of the people and the environment. He passed his passion for public service on to both of his daughters. Ron is survived by his beloved wife, Diann Griffin Schultz; his two daughters, Kama Diann Schultz Monroe and Tera Kimberly Griffin; five grandchildren, Kellen Griffin-Jay, Aidan Joseph Monroe, Rhiannon Griffin, Galen Alexander Monroe, and Tegan Alana Monroe as well as a host of extended family members, professional associates, and friends who will remember him fondly. Ron will be privately interred at Roselawn Cemetery. An event in his honor is being planned at Dorothy B. Oven Park of Tallahassee on February 15, 2023 from 5-7 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be sent to the National Parks Foundation at https://www.nationalparks.org. Breanna Green of Bevis Funeral Home, 850-385-2193 or www.bevisfh.com, is assisting the family with their arrangements.