James R. Schulze, 71, of Echo died on Aug. 24 at the Good Shepherd Medical Center in Hermiston.

He was born in Baker City on Sept. 15, 1938, to Paul and Stella (Phillips) Schulze.

Schulze spent his early years in Baker City, Molalla and Roseburg. He attended Oakland High School from 1952-1956, spending his summers in Baker County haying with his uncles.

He joined the U.S. Navy upon graduating high school, serving just over three years on Naval Bases in Texas. He began a career in logging after his honorable discharge from the Navy.

On June 5, 1960, he married Janice Rippstein and they had three children —Sue, Eric and Carl. In 1971, he moved his family to Eastern Oregon, where he began a 25 year career working on ranches in Spray, Mitchell, Paisley, John Day and the Alvord Ranch in Harney County.

After a brief stint in Western Oregon, Schulze and his wife moved to Echo to be closer to their sons in Pendleton, where he took care of cattle for relatives. For the past two years he had been retired, spending time with family and friends, working on numerous leather projects, reading and doing crossword puzzles with his wife of 50 years, all the while entertaining everyone with his humorous personality.

Schulze is survived by his wife, Janice Schulze of Echo; sons, Eric and Carl Schulze both of Pendleton; sisters, Alice Anderson of Lebanon, Teresa Rasmussen of Ogdon, Utah, Clara Jean Kehl of Sutherlin and Diane Martinez of Tucson, Ariz.; brothers, Jeff Schulze of Clarkston, Wash., and David Schulze of Bend; five grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Sue Schulze; sister, Patricia Ross; and brother, Herb Hogan.
At his request, there will be no services. Disposition was by private cremation. A condolence book can be signed at www.burnsmortuaryhermiston.com.

Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in care of arrangements.