Fred Shultz

Fred A. Shultz was born on October 9, 1940, to Edgar Allen Shultz and Nola Mabel Tosh in Boise City, a small rural county seat in Oklahoma’s panhandle. He was raised as the middle child of three. His early life was deeply rooted in the area’s farming and ranching industry, which became a blueprint for a work ethic that would characterize the rest of his life.

He played little league baseball, basketball, and football and, in the way of small towns in that decade, grew up with a combination of hard work and the freedom to grow and explore life in a community that looked out for its own.

At the age of 13, he fell in love, and that began a storybook partnership with the girl, Barbara, who would become his wife. Their love story spanned the next 70 years. At the age of 18, Fred proposed, and the boy who was originally intended for the family farm, and his new wife, left home for both to attend Panhandle State University.

By their senior years at PSU, Fred and Barbara moved “down state” to complete their degrees at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Both graduated in four years and, after graduation, they relocated to Laverne, Oklahoma, where Fred became an agricultural education teacher and their first two children were born.

Although Fred first began borrowing money for cattle at age 9, it was in Laverne at age 22 that he made his first investment in real estate, which was 320 acres of land. Fred continued to successfully buy and sell real estate, primarily in the Stillwater area, until he was well into his 70s. It was one of three careers that he built across his lifetime.

Fred completed his master’s and doctorate at Oklahoma State University as a first-generation student and, like many first-generation students, his decisions changed the trajectory of generations of his family. All of his three children attained advanced degrees.

Fred became the first intern for Dr. Francis Tuttle at the Oklahoma Department of Vocational Education in 1969. Around the time that he became the youngest VoTech superintendent in the history of Oklahoma, his third child was born. With a wife and three children at home, Fred built what is now Meridian Technology Center. He started the first intern program to develop leadership talent for the CareerTech system, a model that was repeated in other schools across the state. He oversaw the growth of Meridian Technology Center as its superintendent for 31 years and was well known in the community of Stillwater and at the Oklahoma state legislature, including serving as legislative chair for the CareerTech system and president of the superintendents’ association. His awards, recognitions, and positions of service are far too many to list, but he was particularly proud of his 16-year role as a board member for Ditch Witch in Perry, Oklahoma.

In the 1980s, Fred and Barbara bought 180 acres of land in Perkins, Oklahoma. Fred made his mark in the business of show cattle, notably with high performing cows 148 and 414. He also raised a bull that become a top selling bull for breeding in the United States and Canada.

Fred retired as a superintendent at age 63 and, while continuing in real estate, turned much of his attention to his love of the cattle business. Despite doctor after doctor telling him to stop working with cattle for his own health, he was a cowboy to the end.

Fred A. Shultz died at the age of 84 surrounded by his wife, two of his daughters, and additional family gathered just down the hallway. He was proceeded in death by his parents Edgar Allen Shultz and Nola Mable Walker; his stepfather, Gaylord Walker; his sisters Evelyn and Mary Lou; and his oldest daughter Kristi. He is survived by his wife Barbara Ann Shultz of Stillwater; daughter Kerri and her husband Brett of Perkins; daughter Shelli and her husband Rob of Norman; five grandchildren in order of birth, Kaeden, Brenna, Cole, Isabella, and Cooper; his half brother Allen Shultz, and numerous nieces and nephews.

For those who wish to honor Fred in some way, the family suggests that in lieu of flowers donations be made to the Fred A. Shultz Community Pillar Endowment Account, Meridian Technology Center Foundation, 1312 S. Sangre Road, Stillwater, OK 74074.