Dates
Thomas “Tom” Jeffery Schultz, of Christoval, passed away 9 October 2026 after battling Glioblastoma. He was born on 11 September 1966 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa to Jovon Schultz and Catherine “Joan” (Fritz) McGaffic.
Tom met his future wife, Angela McCoy, on the bus from Lackland AFB Basic Training to their ELINT technical school at Goodfellow AFB in June 1986. He married her on 22 November 1986.
Tom retired as a Senior Master Sergeant, serving in the United States Air Force from 1986 to 2010. He was stationed at Lackland AFB, Misawa AB, Wright-Patterson AFB, Goodfellow AFB, and Buckley AFB. Tom was an extraordinary analyst, making untold contributions to the security of our nation. He was awarded the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, four Meritorious Service Medals, and three Air Force Commendation Medals. Two decades before Space Force stood up, he received his Master Space Badge. Tom further served his country by volunteering to deploy to Iraq in 2006, where helped stand up one of the first joint-service Weapons Intelligence Teams (WIT).
Tom had a wide variety of interests and talents. Over the years, he restored a ‘67 Volkswagen Beetle, a ‘73 Karman Ghia, a ’66 Dodge Charger, and a ’69 el Camino. He raced modified outboards. He won M25H national championships in 2004 and 2005. After a 20-year hiatus, he returned to win M25H and CMH national championships in 2024 and 2025. Even though his illness hampered his 2026 racing season, Tom placed third for the M25H high point national championship.
Tom was an inventor, as well as a “jack of all trades”. He mastered everything he set his mind to and shared those abilities with anyone who needed help. He spent 22 years using those skills to build a Christoval “paradise” for him and Angela. Home, with family and friends, is where he preferred to be. And even better, sitting at his shop bar, with the bar light on, while entertaining us with historical facts, political history, and tall tales,
Tom is survived by his heartbroken wife, Angela; his loving children, Kristyn Schultz, Michael Schultz, and son-in-law Joshua Schultz; and his beloved grandchildren, Gabriel Schultz, Lincoln Schultz, Sebastian Schultz, Ryker Schultz, Riley Schultz, and Thomasin Schultz.
Tom is also survived by his mother Catherine “Joan” McGaffic; brothers and sisters, Jennifer Schultz, Timothy Schultz (Cheri), and Julie Schultz (Aaron). He is survived by many nieces, nephews, and cousins (special acknowledgement of Tina Schoner (Kevin) and Donna Forneris (Alicia)).
Tom was predeceased by his father Jovon Schultz and his stepfather Paul McGaffic.