John Paul Schulz, 76, passed away April 20, 2022, in Rome, Georgia. He was born in Evanston, Illinois to Jane Bolton and William H. Schulz. He is survived by his wife of eleven lucky years, Dekie Hicks, and his son John Robert “J.R.” Schulz, J. R.’s wife Christine McCulloch, their daughter Margot, and J. R.’s mother, Barbara Forrester Schulz. Also missing John are his brother Tom (Sheila Ennis) and sister Mary (Jos de Wit), beloved nieces and nephews, and a host of devoted friends and fans. Preceding John in death are his son, Stephan Paul Schulz, his parents, and his brother Billy. 

John maintained friendships with alumni from Baker High School in Columbus, Georgia; he returned to Columbus to teach in the public school system after completing his degree at the University of Georgia in both English and “Getting By.” It was through developing a greenhouse project for students at Eddy Junior High that John discovered his love of growing things. He moved to Rome, built greenhouses, and became John the Plant Man. After a stint selling hardware, John returned to the world of plants and landscape design. Forty years of creating tranquil spaces culminated in his Meditation Garden at Myrtle Hill Cemetery, the Clocktower Garden “As Time Goes By” and the riverbed bridge installation at the Labyrinth.

Ever the optimist, John turned his life experiences into inspiration via his books (Requiem for a Redneck, Redemption for a Redneck, and Sweetie Drives on Chemo Days). He and Dekie co-wrote a fourth book, The Basics of Pruning. He lifted countless hearts with his daily online pandemic posts. He was proud of his decades of sobriety, and loved his occupation so much that he quoted, “never worked, never will.” He reassured us daily: “Everything is going to be all right.”

Memorial service arrangements are pending. Donations may be made to the Jane B. Schulz Scholarship Fund, 401 H.F. Robinson Building, Western Carolina University, Cullowhee, NC 28723, or online http://give.wcu.edu/schulz.