His children remembered him as someone who always encouraged them to do their best. Colleagues mentioned his faith, compassion and level head. A fire service chaplain recalled his fastidiously organized desk.
More than 1,000 admirers – several hundred representing fire departments throughout Southern California – gathered Wednesday, Feb. 13, to share memories of Garden Grove Fire Chief Tom Schultz.
Schultz’s death on Jan. 27 stunned family members and friends, coming just two weeks after an unexpected diagnosis of stage 4 pancreatic and liver cancer. The Placentia resident, 54, left behind wife Kim, two daughters and a son.
The two-hour service took place inside EvFree, a spacious church in Fullerton. Bright red against gray skies, dozens of firetrucks lined up outside – some of them having delivered bagpipers and eulogizers.