Larry Wayne Schulz

Larry Wayne Schulz, 62, of Brenham, joined God, family and friends who have gone before him on September 13, 2017.

Visitation with family will be Friday, September 22nd from 6-8 p.m. at Brenham Memorial Chapel with his service following Saturday, September 23rd at 3 p.m. at Christ Lutheran Church. After the service, all are invited to join the procession leaving the church back to Larry’s home for his “Legendary 4th of July Party” one last time. Please come on your bike, in your show car, race car, antique car or any vehicle of your choice.

Larry was born February 4, 1955 to Walter Fritz and Alberta (Hohlt) Schulz. He was baptized at Salem Lutheran of Welcome on May 22, 1956 and confirmed at Christ Lutheran June 1, 1969 where he remained a member until his death. He graduated Brenham High at mid-year his senior year and immediately moved to Houston to work.

Larry’s early years were positions in building construction working for and learning from Bob Coghlan and Randy Brumfield. Larry and his brother began Schulz Brothers Construction, focusing mainly on concrete construction. He began his own company in 1985 which evolved into Legacy Concrete Works and Legacy Waste Services. He was so very proud of Skylar, Savannah and Matt Gutierrez when they became partners in Legacy and began helping him run the company. He boasted that over the last year they have competently stepped up and made it their own. His legacy continues.

Another love he spoke of often was his summer hay hauling adventures, after learning to rake hay for his father at a very early age. This came easy to him and oh the stories of he and his buddies hauling it.

Larry and Cindy Wilkerson were married June 17, 1978. They were blessed with the birth of Nichole Elizabeth in August 1981. Larry and Cindy divorced, but remained friends to the end.

Larry married Jody Budell on September 9, 1985 and welcomed Savannah Lea nine months to the day later. Then Skylar O’Neal was born 16 months later. Their family was complete with Matthew Polk and Nichole welcoming their new siblings.

Larry loved being involved in the kids’ lives as they danced, played sports and participated in their many school activities. Larry became a true soccer dad with 3 of 4 of his kids playing competitively for over 10 years. He actually behaved on the sidelines…..except for that one time. Well, maybe it was 8 times.

Family holidays were often spent at Larry’s home with in-laws, out-laws and exes taking part. He believed his children needed that example in their lives and he truly loved everyone. There were often extra kids sleeping everywhere on Saturday or Sunday mornings and he loved having them.

Hobbies were numerous as Larry lived life grandly, with immense joy, pursued each of them. Harleys were his first and longest lasting love beginning in his mid-teen years and with his last ride shortly before leaving. He maintained his Harley friends the entirety of that time as well. Larry and Jody took trips several times a year with a group of those friends, which became known as the Geriatric Biker Gang. He was heartbroken when he had to miss the Sturgis trip this year. His son-in-law Matt and Savannah inherited his love and will continue riding the Harley CVO Street Glide he was so proud of.

Larry was extremely proud of the ’59 GMC he and Skylar restored, so Skylar could drive it for his senior year. They took it on Power Tours twice. They and the truck were in several auto magazines and the Cherry Bomb calendar. B.K. Pounds would be proud of his restored truck.

Larry looked forward each year to the NHRA races at the Royal Purple Raceway and the Texas Mile races which niece Hannah started driving in this past year. He was so proud of her. As well, he loved watching ALL the NHRA races on TV (or anything dealing with hunting).

Equally loved were his many, many hunting trips and adventures. He ate all game he killed; except for a few nasty hogs. He said he just couldn’t. Matthew and Skylar went on many of those “adventures” over the years. Larry used to swear Skylar was in Indian reincarnated because he amazed Larry over and over with his innate ability to see and stalk tiny animals as well as the big trophies. Larry was so excited to be coconspirator in Skylar’s proposal hunting trip weekend and treasured that memory. Skylar took Larry on his last hunt a few months back with Larry downing a huge hog and a prize Axis buck which Skylar was able to hang for Larry to look at this last month.

Family weekend country road trail rides began when the kids were young and grew into their love of participating in the Washington County Fair ride as well as the Salt Grass Trail ride. Larry was a member since 1997. Larry especially loved being part of the Salt Grass because he loved each member of the Chappell Hill Cowpokes and Long Neck Riders, whom he referred to as his kinfolk. His sister Kathy and his “brother” Clifford were by his side the entire time. He enjoyed each “baptism” of new members. Larry served on the Washington County Trail Ride committee for many years, loved being a scout and served as Chairman for many years. The 2017 Trail Ride parade was dedicated to his memory. Skylar lead Larry’s favorite and famous Blondie mule who (often gave Larry a ride for his money) at the head of the parade. What an amazing tribute.

Larry loved deep sea fishing, even though he got sick periodically each trip, he kept on having fun til they docked. He was a ruthless domino and card player and loved the family night games. But his true love was the Wheel of Fortune casino game. He got to spend 8 days pushing that max bid button in Arizona two months ago.

He was so happy being involved with each hobby, not for the hobby so much as the comradery he shared with his numerous friends who participated in those hobbies with him.

Lastly, Larry found a new depth of himself he never knew he could feel with his whole heart. That true joy he found when the grandkids began to arrive. First was Addyson Taylor Lynn Polk, next was Alexis Taylor Thomas, and Garrett Wayne Polk, Caydence Elizabeth Carr, Gentri Grace Gutierrez, next Gage Ryan Gutierrez, adding Loren Bohi and finally Evelyn Marie Reick.

Larry made lots of memories with each grandchild. The one specifically that each loved to share with him was going with Poppa to check and feed the cows. Each began as soon as they could sit up good and not cry for momma. Additionally, each time his kids saw their dad with a grandkid on his lap as he read a book or just talked they all exclaimed “Daddy you never did that for us.” He just roared with laughter and said, “It’s different now.” In time, he literally became the biggest kid in the group as they played.

Larry lived life grand daily. He never met a stranger and never showed anyone anything but caring and kindness. His smile was mesmerizing. His blue eyes striking and those bear hugs and kisses were never forgotten. He would help anyone, in any way he could and found fatherly/brotherly pride for each friend’s good luck or accomplishments. He made sure he told them how proud he was too.

Larry loved to travel and did so all over the states yearly; mostly with his gang on their Harleys with his favorite being to Sturgis. He especially was proud of his trip to the UK, Scotland and Wales with Jody and the kids, in 1998, where he was astonished by the history he could see and touch that he had only read about in textbooks. He commented, “Wow, this shit was real.” Larry answered “Texas” each time someone asked him what country he was from as they all believed him to be a famous “stone hurler” from Scotland. He found great amazement at King Henry’s cod piece on his suit of armor. In a huge Texas voice he said, “Oh my God” at seeing it the first time. The entire palace room went completely silent and then burst into laughter with a comment heard “Yes, he’s from Texas.” Canada and Mexico felt the same way.

Larry’s faith was undeniable, strong and deep. He knew he would be in heaven and that he would get to hug his mom, Granny Warmke and Milton once again. He spoke many times about not wanting anyone to be sad and cry when he was gone but to share memories, laughter and love each other.

He is survived by his wife of 32 years, Jody; sons, Matthew Polk and Skylar Schulz (Kayla); daughters, Nichole Carr (Desmond) and Savannah Gutierrez (Matt); sisters, Kathy Miller (Clifford) and Shirley Moehlmann; sister-in-law, Patti Harl; brother, Buddy Schulz (Kim); brother-in-law, Darrell Budell (Jodie); mother-in-law, Jerry Budell; two sons by heart, Lacio Pina (Beatrice) and Brandon Coghlan (Linda); as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Larry is preceded in death by his father Walter Fritz “W.F.” and mother Alberta, father-in-law Milton Budell, brother-in-law Leroy Moehlmann, and his beloved Granny Warmke.

Serving as honorary pallbearers are Bobbie and David Weige, Brent McCord, Nathan Addicks, Mark Barten, Frankie and Gary Mikeska, Alan Flasowski, Jessica Avery, Meredith Landua, Ashlie Bachman, Joe and JoAnn Ender, Joe Gonzales, Mike Leonard, Mike Stephenson, Lamont Roberts, Travis Schmidt, Benton Schulze, Thomas Clay, Wesley Mangum, Pat Northway, Kreskin Williams, Mitch Davis, Dylan Dollar, and Tammy Cowart. Very Special Honorary pallbearer is Leon Konieczny who has fought this battle right alongside Larry since the beginning.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to NAMI Brazos Valley (www.namibv.org/donate) or a charity of your choice.

Services are in the care of Brenham Memorial Chapel, 2300 Stringer St., Brenham, TX 77833. 979.836.3611 Tributes may be shared at www.BrenhamMemorialChapel.com.