Tommy Joe Schulze

Tommy Joe Schulze, age 80, passed away quietly in his sleep Wednesday morning, May 4, 2022, in Houston, Texas. Although he lived in Houston, Texas, he maintained a home in his hometown, Meridian.

As the youngest of six siblings in his family, a great deal of the demanding work of running the Schulze farm fell on his shoulders. He was a great asset to his family.

Tommy was salutatorian of Meridian High School, class of 1959. Upon graduation, he entered Texas A&M and graduated with a BA in Mathematics. He then took a deferment from his ROTC commitment and stayed at A&M an additional year, graduating in 1965 and earning his MS in Mathematics while also serving the University as an instructor. The following year, he commenced his military tour as a Second Lieutenant at Ft. Bliss, El Paso, Texas.

Tommy then worked in aerospace as a computer programmer, designing computer systems for analyzing flight computer programs. Tommy retired from the Lockheed-Martin NASA contractor.

Tommy’s hobbies included hunting and fishing with his brothers, including a trip to the waters of Alaska. One of the highlights of his life was a trip to Egypt with his brother Jim, sister-in-law Mollie, and the Traveling Aggies.

Tommy is preceded in death by his father, Alexander Gustav Schulze and his mother, Maude Venita Clark; his brother, William Alexander Schulze and his wife, Winona Leech Schulze; his sister Patricia (Patsy) Ann Schulze Davis; his brother John David Schulze; and his sister-in-law Mollie Jean Conner Schulze, the wife of his brother James Lee Schulze.

He is survived by his niece, Karen Lynn Schulze Baldassarre, with whom he had lived for several years before entering assisted living last November; his brothers James Lee Schulze and Gerald Keith Schulze; his brother-in-law James Morris Davis, the husband of his sister Patricia Ann Davis Schulze; and numerous beloved nieces, nephews, and close friends.

Tommy’s primary focuses during his life included his strong faith in God, his reverence for the United States of America, and his pride in having supported the United States with his service in the U.S. Army. Tommy was also a gung-ho supporter of the Texas Aggies of his Alma Mater.

The Schulze family prays for God’s blessings for all his loved ones, now and forevermore. A memorial service for Tommy will be held for friends and family at Lawson Funeral Home in Meridian Texas on Tuesday, May 31, 2022 at 12:00 P.M. Pastor Yohan Baek will officiate.