LD Shultz

On Monday June 8, 2026, LD "Papa Shot" Shultz passed from this life surrounded by the family he loved so deeply, leaving behind a legacy of faith, character, laughter, and love that will continue for generations.

LD was born in Sentinel, Oklahoma, on January 11, 1937. You might be wondering at this point if LD stood for anything, well as a curious boy, he asked his father that very question and Grandpa Charlie said that since he couldn’t very well name him Little Devil, he settled on LD. LD grew up in a world far different from today. Though his family had little by worldly standards, he never considered himself poor. His childhood was rich with adventure, family, freedom, and the simple joys of country life. As a young boy, he spent countless hours roaming the creeks near his home with a .22 rifle in hand. He loved to tell the story that he shot that rifle so much he eventually shot the barrel out of it. If there was a creek nearby, a stick to tie a line to, and a worm, grasshopper, or anything else he could find for bait, there was a good chance he was going fishing.

Those early years helped shape the man he would become—resourceful, hardworking, adventurous, and deeply appreciative of life's simple blessings.

LD carried special reverence for his parents throughout his life, particularly his mother, Minnie Opal. The respect and honor he showed her became one of the many examples that guided his children and grandchildren. He often spoke of his childhood with fondness and gratitude, and those stories became treasured gifts to everyone fortunate enough to hear them.

He met Patsy Srader on the playground in the second grade and got them both swats for kissing her. That first kiss led to 65 years of marriage. Although Patsy might have pulled the luggage out a time or two to make a point, the two of them remained inseparable, and laid the foundation for our family.

A strong worker with an unmatched work ethic, LD spent 32 years with Phillips 66 Petroleum Company. Retirement never really suited him, he worked as a millwright at a nuclear power facility in Nebraska, and then at 76 years old, he returned to work with his grandson as a Safety Coach for Chevron Phillips Chemical. He was so respected, knowledgeable, and effective that the company continually asked him to come back. Wherever he worked, people trusted him because his word meant something.

His honesty, loyalty, and integrity belonged to another era. He possessed the kind of character that seems almost too rare to be real. If LD gave his word, it was as good as done and if he called you a friend, you had one for life.

He was a faithful Christian and served as an elder at the Fritch Church of Christ. His faith was not something he merely professed; it was something he lived. He quietly demonstrated grace, humility, service, forgiveness, and steadfast devotion to God throughout his life.

While he worked hard, he also knew how to enjoy life. He loved fishing, golfing, roller coasters, driving, watching movies, especially a good western. No cowboy ever quite measured up to John Wayne in Papa Shot's eyes. He loved to travel and made 48 of our 50 states, Mexico, Canada, Norway, England and a trip to Scottland in 2023 with his great-granddaughter Taylor was a favorite adventure. He loved laughter, loved stories, and loved gathering people together. Few people could tell a story the way he could.

Perhaps his greatest gift was the way he made people feel. Whether you were a child, grandchild, friend, neighbor, coworker, or someone he had only just met, he had a remarkable ability to make you believe you were his favorite person. His attention was genuine. His interest was sincere. His love was abundant.

More than anything else, LD loved his family.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Patsy Ruth Shultz; his father, Charlie Lincoln Shultz; his mother, Minnie Opal Merrifield Shultz; his brother, Johnnie Merrifield; an infant brother who died at birth; his sister and brother-in-law, Letha and Carol Spearling; and his great-granddaughter, Jaden Kael Willis.

He is survived by his children Donna Kim and Husband Scott Willis, Kelly Lee and husband Steve Martin, all of Fritch, Texas.

Grandchildren Paton and wife Bee Willis, Linsey and husband Micheal Payne, Cindy and husband Chuck Rineheart, Scott and wife Sarah Willis, Jessica and husband Roger Ney, Sarah and husband Patrick Martin, Ryan Bishop and husband Josh Bishop-Lopez.

Great grandchildren Jace, Taylor, Stormy, Judge, Charlie, Addy, Izzy, Johnnie, Ann ‘belle, Harper, Meredith, Scottie and Natalie.

Great-Great Grandchildren Krayton and Henry; and countless nieces, nephews, and cousins. 

In his final days, LD took us all to school one more time. Just as he had done throughout his life, he led by example. Surrounded by family who watched with both heartbreak and admiration, he showed us how to leave this world with grace, dignity, courage, and faith. He faced death the same way he faced life—with strength, peace, and confidence in what lay ahead.

The creeks, fishing poles, road trips, stories, laughter, westerns, and family gatherings will never quite be the same without him. Yet the lessons he taught, the values he lived, and the love he gave will remain woven into the lives of all who knew him.

A great man has gone home.

And while we will miss him deeply, we rejoice knowing that Papa Shot has crested the hill and is on to the next great adventure. 

Services are pending at this time.