James Fayette Schultz
OBITUARY
Jim was born in Oakland and was brought up in the Bay Area. He spent many summers on his grandfather’s farm near Eureka. He was the first in his family to go to college, earning a Bachelor of Music from USC. He then served in the 6th Army Band in the San Francisco Presidio, where he played clarinet and bassoon.
Jim then moved to Vienna, Austria. He graduated from the Academy of Music there and played bassoon in the Philharmonica Hungarica, based in Germany. Returning home, he earned a Master’s of Music from Holy Names College in Oakland. He played bassoon in the Oakland Symphony for 5 years and the Santa Rosa Symphony for many years.
Jim and his wife lived in Bennett Valley for almost 5o years, until the fires in 2017, when they moved to Santa Rosa’s Friend’s House.
He taught band at Bennett Valley Elementary School and at Hanna Boys Center for over 30 years.
Jim enjoyed reading history and biographies. He loved gardening and had a large herb and vegetable garden which he tended faithfully into his 80’s. He often gave the herbs to his favorite chefs because he loved good food.
Jim also loved attending operas, symphonies, and recitals.
He believed in loyalty, honesty, self-discipline, and kindness toward everyone.
He is survived by his wife Lucia, his son Steven, his daughter-in-law Miki, and his grandchildren Boris and Natsuki.