Donald Ray Schutza

Donald Ray Schutza, age 71, of Elm Mott, passed away early Friday morning, June 6, 2014 at his residence. Funeral services will be held 2:00 p.m. Monday at St. Paul's United Church of Christ in Gerald with Rev. Curtis Holland officiating. Burial will follow at Gerald Cemetery. The family will receive visitors from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. Sunday at Aderhold Funeral Home Chapel in West. Donald was born February 6, 1943 in Waco, the son of Edwin and Lenora W. (Steinkamp) Schutza. He attended schools in West and was a 1961 graduate of West High School, where he played the trumpet in the high school band and received a band scholarship to play for Tyler Junior College and later Hill Junior College. He then attended the University of Texas in Austin. Donald was a produce farmer and worked for McDonald Douglas in Los Angeles, CA before his retirement. He also worked in several areas including Las Vegas, New Orleans and New Mexico. He was a member of St. Paul's United Church of Christ and the West Bass Club. Donald enjoyed traveling, fishing with his dog "Puppy", baseball, skiing, playing his trumpet, gin card games and tennis. He was a member the West Polka Boys in high school. Donald is preceded in death by his parents; his grandparents; a brother, Gilbert C. Schutza; and an infant sister, Linda Schutza. Survivors include his first love and companion, Alice Powell of Whitney; a sister-in-law, Frieda "Fitti" Schutza; a niece, Ingrid Bowden; a nephew, Gilbert W. "Bert" Schutza; great nieces, Karina and Kelsey; and many other relatives and friends. Active pallbearers are Walter Lenart, Garnett Davis, Henley Winkelmann, Jim Schutza, Bert Schutza, Joe Summers, Michael Fitzhugh and Steve Kincer. Honorary pallbearers are Nelson Kelinske, Gary Schutza, Ron McCartney, Al Schutza Jr., Dennie Schutza, Glen Schutza, Karina Schutza and Kelsey Schutza. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Purrfect Corporation Animal Shelter, 133 Waterview Dr., Whitney, TX 76692.