Obituary of Kenneth Rolland Schultz

“The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.” Psalm 145:18

Each morning for the last 50 years, Ken sat with his Bible, reading the words of life. Believing that the Lord was near, he poured out his heart to Jesus and listened for His guidance. If you are reading this, he no doubt prayed for you. His quick humor, genuine love for people, and compassion for the hurting led him to fill his days caring for people. He invited us to believe that the God of the universe came in the person of Jesus to pursue us and offer us healing, forgiveness, and real life. Having experienced the depths of the grace of God in his own life, he articulated that grace to others with an authenticity that flowed into each of our stories. It felt safe to consider Jesus in conversations with Ken. It felt safe to return to Jesus in conversations with Ken. We were inspired to cling to Jesus each time we were with Ken. Ken served as a staff person and then an Area Director in Young Life, as a Pastor at Mecklenburg Community Church, and most recently on the staff of Search Ministries in Charlotte. He befriended literally thousands of people, ministered to their hearts and families, and led many who will read this to the Lord. He married us, buried us, challenged us, comforted us, laughed with us, visited us, taught us, and encouraged us. No stranger to his own regrets, he used those lessons to speak wisdom, grace, and hope into each of our lives.

He adored his children and grandchildren, David Schultz (Katy) Eloise and Woody, Hannah Schultz (Erin) Tristan and Kieran, Rachel Barnes (Chris) Claire, Ellen, Ben and Emily, and Daniel Schultz (Angie) Finn, and prayed for them daily and faithfully. He referred to Kim, his wife of 32 years, as his soulmate and best friend. His fight against cancer for 20 years, was to stay on this earth for the sole purpose of loving his family and sharing Jesus with one more person. We rejoice and grieve so very deeply. We rejoice that he is completely whole and healthy and in the very presence of Jesus. We do grieve, but as those who have hope, we believe that we will see him again. No doubt in the early hours of Monday morning, with Kim by his side, as he went home to be with his Lord, he was greeted with, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.”

Ken was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Dorothy Schultz and his brother and sister-in-law Bob and Mary Schultz, father-in-law, Charlie Sanders and brother-in-law, Zim Cannon.

In addition to his wife, children and grandchildren, Ken is survived by his sister, Linda Specht, mother-in-law, Louise Sanders, Kim’s sister, Joy Cannon, brothers, Chuck Sanders (Kim) and Stan Sanders (Britton) and numerous nieces and nephews.

A celebration of Ken’s life will be held on Saturday, October 21, 2023, 1:00 PM at New City Church-South Park in Charlotte, North Carolina. The family will receive friends at the church following the service. The service will also be live-streamed at :  Livestream

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Search Ministries Charlotte, Young Life Charlotte, or New City Church, Charlotte.

Arrangements are under the direction of Hankins and Wittington Funeral Service, 1111 East Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28203.

Online condolences may be made at www.HankinsandWhittington.com.