Larry Schulz

Laurence “Larry” Edward Schulz, 70, was called home to Jesus on March 19, 2016, at CHI St. Alexius Health, Bismarck, surrounded by his loving family. A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, March 23, at Church of Corpus Christi, Bismarck, with the Rev. Paul Becker officiating. Burial will be at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery at 1 p.m. Visitation will be held from 5 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, March 22, at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Parkway, Bismarck, where a vigil service will begin at 7 p.m. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service on Wednesday at the church. Larry was born May 3, 1945, to Richard and Ruth (Meyers) Schulz in Edgeley, ND. His adolescent years were spent in the Moorhead, MN, and Fargo, ND, areas before moving to a farm near Jamestown where he graduated from Jamestown High School. He loved playing basketball and “his claim to fame” while playing for Jamestown was effectively guarding Phil Jackson. Larry was able to continue playing at Dickinson State College. There he was a member of an outstanding team that made it to the NAIA National Tournaments twice. The team was inducted into the DSU Hall of Fame and Larry was also individually inducted in 2002 for Athletic Achievement. Even more outstanding than his basketball career at DSC was the fact that he met his future wife there. Larry and Jerri (Splichal) were married on April 1, 1967, (he really loved April Fool’s Day). He graduated from DSC in May, 1967, with a degree in business administration. Larry enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in October 1967. He was stationed at Eielson Air Force Base, near Fairbanks, AK, during his entire time of service. Larry and Jerri returned to North Dakota in 1971 where he accepted a position as Assistant Purchasing Agent for the State of North Dakota. On April 1, 1975, he used that experience to move to North American Coal Corporation as the director of purchasing (his 2nd best April Fool’s Day). He was very instrumental in the development of new coal operations in North Dakota and worked there until his retirement in 1998. Despite his struggles with MS, he never let the disease define or defeat him. He inspired everyone who knew him because of the positive attitude he personified daily. He loved life and loved to laugh. He lived life to the fullest and took every opportunity to make people laugh with his easy smile and quick wit. He loved spending time with his family and grandchildren, fishing, hunting with brothers, uncles and cousins, sports, playing games and good, friendly competition. He loved to drive and we have great memories of road trips with him as the pilot of “Big Red”. He was one of the “Die Hards”, who can be found cheering on any St. Mary’s sporting event. He was a loyal supporter of several teams including the Dallas Cowboys and the Minnesota Twins. He cheered the loudest though for his family and friends and was always their biggest fan. He was a good friend, a great man and an amazing role model on how to face adversity. He will be missed by everyone. Larry is survived by his wife of 48 years, Jerri, Bismarck; son, Bryan (Ellen) and their children, Jadon and Dayna, Bismarck; son, Rich (Suzy), Eden Prairie, MN; daughter, Jodi (John) Conti and their children, Andrew and Adam, Lakeway, Texas; sister, Judy (Gary) Anderson, The Villages, FL; brother, Ken (Kathy), Jamestown; sister-in-law, Julie, West Fargo; brother, Bob (Audra), Peoria, AZ; and numerous aunts and uncles, nieces and nephews, cousins and beloved friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Ron; his father-in-law, Tony Splichal; and his mother-in-law, Mary Splichal Dvorak. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to St. Mary’s Central High School, Bismarck, ND, in memory of Larry Schulz.