James Robert Schultz, Spokane Valley resident, passed away May 6, 2025 at the V.A. Medical Center in Spokane. He was 77. Jim was born February 24, 1948 in Spokane to John and Betty McDaniel Schultz. He graduated from Central Valley High School in 1967 and then went on to Spokane Community College where he completed an Associate's Degree in Architecture/Drafting.

Jim enlisted in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam era. He excelled in the Navy and became a SEAL during his 8 year enlistment. Jim was a talented craftsman and welder and held many jobs over the years in the welding field; including for places such as the Hanford Site near the Tri-Cities, at underwater welding jobs, and more. He was highly regarded as one of the top ten in his field all over the United States. While in the Navy he worked to patch holes in ships and was part of the de-commissioning crew on the Hugh Purvis ship in Newport, Rhode Island. He was honorably discharged and moved back to Spokane around 1975.

Jim was married and had two children before that marriage later ended in divorce. His marriage to a second wife ended when she passed away of breast cancer. Jim worked for Welk Brothers as a welder and designer for semi-truck trailers. He worked in several other fabricating jobs over the years, on the Alaska Pipeline and for Oxarc Inc.

Since the age of 8 he was fascinated with R.C. Airplanes and he flew them, worked on them and collected them his entire life. He was a member of the Academy of Model Airplanes for years. He had a longtime companion in the Spokane Valley when he met Lynn Pierce and after many years together they were married in Laughlin, Nevada on January 24, 2024. Jim also enjoyed boating and fishing and spending time at his lake place at Bayview, Idaho. He travelled some and went on a cruise. Jim and Lynn spent several years wintering in Fort Mojave, Arizona and he flew his model planes down there nearly every day. He was a member of the CRAPS club.

Survivors include his wife Lynn Pierce at their home in the Spokane Valley; 2 children, Stacey Styren-Reel and Aaron Schultz both living in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho; his sister, Sue Norton of Spokane and 3 nieces. He will be laid to rest in the LaCrosse (Washington) Cemetery at a later date. The family suggests memorial gifts be made to the LaCrosse Cemetery or the LaCrosse Scholarship Fund.