Ronald "Fly-Man" Lee Schutte

Ronald Lee “FLY-MAN Schutte Obituary

FAMILY: Ronald Lee "Fly-Man" Schutte was a devoted husband to Debra Laino,  Father of Jason Lee Schutte (Nikki), Step Father to Suzy Fazzalaro (Michael), Michelle Mundy (Keith), Chris Laino (Rachel), Jon Laino (Jessica) Allison Ellis (Justin) and Catherine Laino.  Grandfather to Sloane Schutte and Willow Schutte, Step Grandfather to Matt Truett, Kingston Mundy, Mikey Fazzalaro and Griffin Ellis.  Brother to Dennis Schutte (Diane). Uncle to Jeff Schutte (Abby), Jill Sandlin (Glen), Joy Schutte, and Lisa Frey (Tom).  Preceded in death by son Tyler Lee Schutte, parents Willard and Margaret Schutte, brother James Schutte and sister in law Judy Schutte.  Ron and Debbie have been inseparable since their first date on May 12, 2006. They celebrated their first date anniversary monthly with lovely hand written love notes. They would often say “It’s so easy with you” and would remark that they grew up together in adulthood. FAITH and Christianity was a big part of Fly’s life, although he did admit it took him a while to catch on, even though he has a Catholic background.  The older he grew the more he really understood the teachings and expectations of the Holy Bible. In 2010, Ron read the entire bible, which taught him the true meaning of Faith, Hope and Charity plus the importance of giving daily thanks to Jesus Christ our Savior, for the many blessings he had received during his time on earth.  In 2008 he also drew spiritual strength from his son Tyler’s six month cancer fight ending at age 24.  The strength came from how courageous and positive Tyler was and how over and over Tyler would repeat calmly “God has a plan”.  Fly often remarked that Tyler taught him how to die gracefully and he hoped he had the same strength when God calls him home. NORTHSIDE and SPORTS. Raised in the historic Cincinnati neighborhood of Northside, where he started his lifelong passion for sports, competition, staying in shape and camaraderie starting with Little League Knothole baseball. There was not a sport he didn’t partake in.  He coached both his sons in baseball, basketball, soccer and learned to snow and water ski with sons Jay and Tyler. He built a concrete basketball court in the family’s then North College Hill side yard on Marvin Avenue.  Word spread and the court quickly became known as “Marvin Gardens.” Interestingly, no child was ever turned away from playing day or night.  Sometimes the neighbors were not so happy, but all the children having a safe pace to go was more important, plus he always knew where Jay and Tyler were.  He was a player for Cincinnati City championship in football with Modern Display in 1963.  His main adult sport was softball, as his big brother Jim started Fly in the game in 1969. They played on the same team for years and in later years he joined his sons on their softball teams.  He played softball for over 54 consecutive years, winning the highly sought after Metro City Tournament in 2011 with A&A Millwright and was voted the MVP by his teammates.  He was on the winning State of Ohio softball tournament in Toledo in 1978.  His lifelong office was a baseball diamond affectionately known as the “five corners.”  His other sports through the years were indoor and outdoor soccer for over 30 years, martial arts for eight years, running most of the Cincinnati foot races, including the inaugural Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon in 1999 finishing at 3:44.  Softball escalated at age 60, which started “Senior Softball” traveling to different states on select weekends.  In 2015 he pitched and played the hot corner on the Cincinnati 60’s team Viox Services, that won the ultimate World Tournament of Champions  in Lakeland, Florida at age 63, which was a “by team invitation only” tournament.  Sport Injuries were also a big part of his life. VOLUNTEERING was also important to Ron.  He started with Clovernook Home for the Blind in North College Hill in the 1980’s with sons Jay and Tyler.  This exposure was a community lesson in charity, plus a lesson so the boys would understand just how much they had to be thankful for. That is when the blind lived on the North College Hill campus and the volunteering consisted of Fly driving the van and he and his sons taking the blind shopping, to the movies, hiking, bowling, etc.  He also volunteered at Shared Harvest Food Bank located in Fairfield, Ohio after his retirement at age 60, which consisted of packing food for children for their weekend meals, loading food boxes in the elderly folk’s cars, etc.

EDUCATION: Ron attended St. Patrick Grade School in Northside, Roger Bacon High School, Cincinnati State and eight years of night school at The University of Cincinnati (member of Delta MU Delta, International Honors Society) to acquire his Bachelors Degree in Business Management, while working full time.  His education led him to working in corporate offices for 36 years for The National Underwriter Company (Corporate Officer), American Financial Group, Siemens International (trained in Munich, Germany) and retired from Cincinnati Bell.  The work niche he learned and applied at all the companies was negotiating written contracts for correctness of verbiage, liability and cost savings. REAL ESTATE: His four homes were in Northside, North College Hill, Okeana where his sons enjoyed dirt bikes, go carts, shooting guns, country living and lastly a home in Fairfield.  Land acquired was in Dillsboro, Indiana which all the family enjoyed.  The pond was always filled with bass and bluegill.  Outgoing his whole life, almost wherever we went he would run into someone he knew.  He was a Real Estate Agent in the Cincinnati area for 20 years. His favorite saying was “May the hinges of our friendship never grow rusty” Ron passed on January 8 at 4:17 a.m. at the age of 73.  In lieu of flowers, you may send donations to one of the following:  Shared Harvest Food Bank located at 5901 Dixie Highway, Fairfield, or the Alzheimers Association, or The Goodtimers Athletic Club. In Ron’s words:  I have had a Blessed life, a Wonderful life, and a Lucky life.  I wish you Debbie, peace and love forever.  If permitted, I hope to meet Tyler at the gates of Heaven when GOD calls me home.

The Funeral Service for Ron will be held Wednesday January 15th from 3 - 5 PM at Avance Funeral Home, 4976 Winton Rd., Fairfield, Ohio 45014.  www.avancefuneralhome.com