SCHULTZ, Gary Lee

bluemountaineagle.com 11 Dec 2012 HAMILTON - Gary Lee Schultz, 58, of Hamilton died Wednesday, December 5, 2012. A private memorial was held at the Long Creek Seventh-day Adventist Friendship Hall on Sunday, December 9. A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Gary was born March 23, 1954 in Pendleton, Oregon, to Marilyn and Orville Schultz. He attended Pendleton Junior Academy, graduating from Gem State Academy in 1972. After graduation, he attended Blue Mountain Community College to study agriculture. During this time, he also enjoyed the rodeo lifestyle riding broncs. His love for horses started at an early age, inspired by his Grandpa Schultz who drove teams. Gary bought his first horse with his own money at a young age and would ride in the fields behind his home on McKay Creek in Pendleton. His desire to live the cowboy lifestyle led him to the Pflugrad Ranch in Hamilton, Oregon. Some of Gary's fondest memories of those early years on the ranch were of waking up early, getting on a horse, and working cattle all day. While working in Hamilton, he fell in love with the rancher's daughter, Sherry Pflugrad. They were married on June 30, 1975. Gary continued to work for Edvern Pflugrad until the early 80's when he started a hay hauling business. He spent several years hauling hay throughout Eastern Oregon. Gary's lifelong dream to own a farm was realized in 1989 when they purchased a farm on the North Fork of the John Day River near Kimberly, Oregon. He enjoyed experimenting with many different crops including alfalfa, mint, coriander, sudan grass, and wheat. He also enjoyed large-scale gardening. To make the cultivating more efficient, he fabricated a custom cultivator to pull behind the four-wheeler. Hiking or riding three-wheelers with family in the hills above the farm and boating down the river in the old wooden drift boat were frequent activities. In 2001, the family moved back to Hamilton and bought a small ranch. They began the process of restoring a homestead from the turn of the 20th century. While on the ranch, Gary was able to spend time working with horses and restoring horse-drawn equipment. To share his love for this hobby, he founded the Pendleton Horse-drawn Christmas Carriage Parade. Throughout his life, he found fulfillment in working with his hands and had a passion for the old way of life. He was truly a pioneer at heart. Gary Schultz is survived by his wife, Sherry; son Casey, Kellie and granddaughter Evie; son Ty all of Hamilton, OR; son James of College Place, WA; mother Marilyn Weissenfluh of Milton-Freewater, OR; brother Melvin of Portland, OR; brother Keith and Melanie of New Town, ID; sister Karen and Don Kendall of Pendleton, OR; nieces, nephews, uncles, aunts, and cousins. Preceded in death by father Orville and brother Clayton.