Julius Clarence Schulze, 83 of Birdsview, Washington joined the angels surrounded by his family on Sunday, November 10, 2024.  Julius was born on October 25, 1941 to Herbert and Grace (Johnston) Schulze in Sedro-Woolley, WA.  He was married to Maria Luisa (Garcia) Schulze on October 18, 1963.

As a baby, Julius was nicknamed "Two Bits" by his mom as he was the only child in his family born in a hospital, the last of a baker's dozen.  He attended schools in Burlington, Marblemount, Hamilton, and graduated from Sedro-Woolley Senior High School in 1960.  In July of 1960, he served in the United States Army.  Specialist Fourth Class Schulze was involved in a deployment to Korea during the Cold War Era.  His service earned him the Army Good Conduct, US Army, Cold War, Honorable Service, Korean Defense and the American Defense Service Commemorative Medals.  In 1966, he took a woodworking and metal course at Everett Junior College.  Julius worked one year at Triway, building parts for Boeing 727 and 747.  He then spent fourteen years working for VanDeGrift Supreme Cedars as a shake packer and night foreman.  He continued his work as a shake packer for Drake's, Hurns, Cooks, Klingman, and Willie Self.  For seventeen years, he worked for Sedro-Woolley School District as a custodian at Samish, Cascade Middle School, Central and Sedro-Woolley High School – C Building where he retired in 2004.

Julius and Maria served as Eucharistic Ministers to their religious communities at church and at homes.  He served his community of Birdsview as a volunteer firefighter.  With his department, they also shared a love of playing baseball.  Julius volunteered countless hours with the Knights of Columbus hamburger stand at various events and doing the steak fry nights at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church.  Julius and Maria put on pig roasts for all of their friends and family from all of the organizations they were involved with.  When his daughters were in Loggerodeo, he served on the board as the organizer of the food vendors where he continued to share his leadership for many years.

He was a hard worker.  He enjoyed farming, gardening, haying, tending to his tree farm and always tinkering outside.  He was an incredible wood craftsman and Jack-of-all-trades.  Julius loved spending countless hours listening to "Western" music as it played regularly from his woodshop.  If he wasn't outside, you could find him enjoying his favorite TV programs, playing games, telling jokes and stories, eating Maria's cooking and simply enjoying time with those he loved.  He was an "extra" Dad and Grandpa to so many.

He was a lifetime member of the Knights of Columbus where he was a Past Grand Knight.  Julius was a lifetime member of VFW 5056.  For 20+ years, he was a member of PSE.

Julius is survived by his daughters, Tina Jewel C. (Mark) Rexroth and Alina M. (Donnie) Putnam of Birdsview and Luisa C. (Scott) Stewart of Lake Stevens; grandchildren, Sara (Dave) Pugsley, Ricci (Shawn) Winchell, Devon (Carter) Rexroth, Kacie (Luis) Rexroth, Tyler Putnam, Kyle (Heidi) Schroeder, Megan (Robert) Blackard, Brianna Putnam, Kayla Stewart and Jamie Stewart; great-grandchildren, Hailey and Jared Pugsley, Elliot, Jude, Aspyn, Fox and Syvanna 'Cinderella' Winchell, Nyleah Torres, Wyatt and Grace Blackard, Jacelyn, Jack and Jesse Casad; sister cousin Mary Alice Kirner; foster daughters; numerous nieces and nephews and many dear friends.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Maria; parents, Grace and Herbert; siblings, Walt, Alvin, Wilmetta, Bud, Evert, Della, Virginia, Bonnie, Luiese, Gordon, Ralph and Albert.

Special thanks to his loving caregivers, Judy, Meredeth, Janell and his care team, Susan, Melissa, Michael and Janet from Hospice of the Northwest.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 am on Friday, November 15, 2024 at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, 719 Ferry St, Sedro-Woolley, with a fellowship to follow.  The Committal Service with Military Honors will follow at Hamilton Cemetery at 1 pm.  A time of visitation will be available at Lemley Chapel on Wednesday 9-5 and Thursday 9 until the praying of the rosary at 7 pm.

Contributions in his memory may be made to Hospice of the Northwest or Parkinson's Foundation.  Please share your memories of Julius and sign the online guest register.