Todd Steven Schultz, age 59, of Farmington Hills, died peacefully on January 20, 2024, after courageously battling blood cancer for 14 years. He was born January 9, 1965, in Detroit, Michigan to Peggy and Don Schultz.

Todd grew up in Sterling Heights prior to moving to Farmington Hills during his junior high years. He later attended North Farmington High School where he created friendships that last to this day. The stories that are now surfacing are hysterical and perhaps better left untold. Todd earned his bachelor's degree at the University of Michigan and his master's degree at Eastern Michigan University. Todd spent his first few years teaching social studies at Dondero High School (Royal Oak) before returning to his alma mater, North Farmington, where he taught until he retired in 2019. Equal to his love of teaching was his love of coaching. Todd proudly served as head football and track coach for both high schools as well as assistant coach for wrestling and golf. He and his fellow coaches helped inspire and educate hundreds of student-athletes on the importance of discipline, hard work, and integrity. On the field or in the classroom, it was always “A Great Day to Be a Raider.”

During the summer of 1992 after winning a softball game playing for the Goat Farm, he met Christine (Chris) DePaolis who had also graduated from North Farmington. After hearing a North reference, she swiftly maneuvered herself into the conversation so that she would have a chance to meet this insanely cute boy with legs to die for. They married three years later and their marriage was characterized by lots of laughter and the occasional negotiation of important marital issues such as the need for a messy junk drawer, where to grocery shop, was the last shot on the tennis court in or out, and reasons why the garbage can’t go out the night before collection. Of all his achievements, he was most proud of their three amazing children, Jack, Allison, and Sydney. Todd had the pleasure (at least on most days) of teaching and coaching Jack and his friends at North Farmington until he retired. While he was not Allison and Sydney’s coach in gymnastics, no parent was a more ardent or vocal fan of their state championship teams. He cheered not only for them, but for every member of those teams – and loudly. Really loudly.

After retiring in 2019, with Chris, he opened a British Swim School so that he could continue building teams of coaches and teach the importance of water survival. Mr. Todd became a fan favorite to all students be they three or eighty-three.

Todd loved to spend time with the friends he collected over the years. He cherished his high school buddies who, while having moved away from their home town, stayed with each other through thick and thin. He treasured the friends he made while working for the city during the summers, those he hunted with for years (whose families became his own), and his work family consisting of fellow coaches and teachers who mentored him through the years and laughed with him daily.

Surviving Todd is his wife Chris and their three children Jack, Allison and Sydney. He is also survived by his mother, Peggy Schultz-Arnone, his sister Donna (Larry) Dishman, brother Larry (Melissa) Schultz, sister in-law Stacy (Jeff) Windahl and the nieces and nephews that brought him such joy.

Though Todd battled cancer for 14 years and ultimately died from it, cancer never won. He coached after his chemo sessions, worked half days so that he could still be with the kids, and never missed one single event for his family. “Control what you can” became the mantra he lived by.

The greatest lessons Todd taught aren’t found in psychology or sociology curricula, or in offensive playbooks. Those lasting lessons are about bravery, selflessness, and courage. “You beat cancer by how you live, why you live, and in the way you live.” (Stuart Scott)

Todd’s family will receive friends, colleagues, and students on Wednesday, January 31 from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at McCabe Funeral Home, 31950 W. 12 Mile Road in Farmington Hills.

In lieu of flowers, and with gratitude to the doctors, nurses and staff at C.S. Mott Childrens Hospital, please direct donations to support the Adult BMT/Transplant Gift Fund at the University of Michigan.

Checks may be made payable to “University of Michigan” and sent to 777 E. Eisenhower Pkwy., Suite 650, Ann Arbor, MI 48108. Please include “in memory of Todd Schultz” in the memo line of the check or in an attached note. You may also call 734-764-6777 or visit the following link to make your gift:  https://victors.us/toddschultz .