Delbert "Del" Carl Schulze, age 78, of Pensacola, FL finished his honorable life Sunday, May 26, 2024.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Evelyn Farbarik and Oscar Schulze; and also preceded in death 5 months earlier by his beloved wife, Alma after 46 years of marriage.

Del was born on October 19, 1945, in Turtle Creek, PA where his enduring interest in the railroad and passion for the Pirates and the Steelers all began. After high school, Del voluntarily joined the US Air Force. He proudly served with the 632nd Sentry Security Police-K9 Attachment in Vietnam. Stories of his service dogs Arris and Duke were always interesting in how they saved his life more than once. There is no doubt they were waiting anxiously to greet him on that Sunday, May 26th.

After his military service Del moved to Columbus, OH where he was a prison guard at the old State Penitentiary. He started work at Dresser Industries and met a divorced Mother of five. Always up for a good time and a challenge, Del married Alma Ann Ellcessor in 1977.

Del was a voracious reader with an insatiable desire to learn. He had an uncanny ability to retain and recall knowledge making him absolutely unbeatable in Trivia Pursuit.

Del received his bachelor's degree from Franklin University. He was an adjunct professor at Purdue, teaching came natural to him. Del and Alma owned a horse farm in Indiana where they raised and raced Standardbred horses. They later moved to Delaware, OH where Del positively influenced many lives at West Central Community Correctional.

Retiring to Pensacola, FL in 2017, Del loved Captaining his Cornhole team, discussing politics and opining on the state of the world. He found great joy spending his days with his children, grandchildren and teaching his great grandchildren.

Those left to honor his memory include his five children, Cheryl Potter, David (Julie) Ellcessor, Dan (Lisa) Ellcessor, Diencha (Dave) Marsh, and Ericka (Brad) Cady; twelve grandchildren; and thirteen great grandchildren.

A Celebration of Life will be held 9:00am Friday, June 7, 2024, at Harper-Morris Memorial Chapel, with Rev. Mike Mashburn officiating. Committal Service will follow at Barrancas National Cemetery with military honors.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Pensacola Humane Society. www.Pensacolahumane.org