Schultz

Milton Lee Schultz, 89, passed away peacefully on Sunday, April 19, 2026.

Milton was born in Fayette County on Aug. 20, 1936, to Vastine Matt Schultz and Emma Leona Blume. Milton lived in Oldenburg until he was ten when his parents moved the family to D’Hanis. Milton graduated from D’Hanis High School as Valedictorian of the Class of 1954. He graduated from Texas Lutheran College in 1958. While at TLC, he was active in student affairs having served on the student council and as president of Phi Theta Kappa, National Honor Society. He also lettered in baseball and managed the college bookstore while earning a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting.

Following graduation from TLC, Milton worked for the Internal Revenue Service. He continued working for the Treasury Department while attending law school at night at the University of Houston Law School graduating in 1963.

Milton later worked in the Houston office of the accounting firm KPMG. When he was made a tax partner, he was the youngest to make partner at the time in the Houston office. Since 1972 until his retirement in 1993, he served as the Firm’s National Director of Technical Tax Services – Estate and Gift Taxes and Estate Planning. During his 30-year tenure with KPMG, Milton became a highly respected estate and financial planner and a frequent speaker and author on estate and gift tax issues.

Milton gained notoriety early in his career. His first major headline was SCHULTZ v. COMMISSIONER, T.C. Memo. 1964-227 (August 26, 1964). Milton deducted his law school education expenses incurred while he was working as an IRS agent. The IRS disallowed the hefty deductions (two years’ worth totaling $837.64). Milton challenged the disallowance and won, prompting the IRS to revise the regulations.

Milton continued to challenge both the IRS and Congress throughout his career. His prescient planning and tenaciousness saved many clients substantial taxes.

As an IRS agent, Milton was often seen tooling around town in his Volkswagen. Later, he acquired an impressive collection of antique and classic cars. He loved to drive his Porsche fast and had the tickets to prove it.

It was Milton’s dream to return to Fayette County which he did with his wife, Martha Jay Schultz, and daughter, Emma Lauren Schultz, in 1999. He loved their ranch, High Chaparral, with its wildlife, cattle in the fields, and singing birds. He could identify many flying birds even when they were far away. Milton also loved driving his daughter Emma to high school in La Grange, then later teaching her how to drive herself. He was also a dedicated chauffeur to his daughter Kathy exposing her to such tunes as “Raindrops Keep Falling on Your Head” and igniting her love of economics, markets, and world events from listening to the news on the hour-long commute. He taught four of his children how to drive, some on a beloved Porsche. He supported all his children in their passions and interests, including buying horses and ballet lessons.

Milton loved his food. He was a grill master. His beef tender and hamburgers were often requested. He even taught a class about how to best spice beef tender at a Christmas gathering with Martha’s family. Food was motivation for many adventures, including Ho Si Guy, La Hacienda, and Vargo’s in far-flung areas of Houston and Carnegie Deli in New York City. Friday night grill night and Sunday night pizza followed by Baskin & Robins and a movie were always part of the week. The movie was often Clint Eastwood or in earlier days, Mission Impossible.

No one was better at working a room than Milton. It didn’t matter if he and the group were wearing suits or bib overalls. He made the full circle, introducing himself and asking questions to draw out others who were there. He was well known around town, having friends at the donut shop, Whataburger, and Kort’s Korner. Milton never knew a stranger.

Milton was a life-long Lutheran. He was deeply religious and never questioned his faith.

His health had deteriorated to the point that he needed 24/7 care at home. His team of caregivers lovingly looked after him anticipating his needs and wants. The team included Mary Cleveland, La Tonya Dobbins, Cheryl E. KaRume, Marilyn King, Janette M. Mc-Kenzie; Emma Scott (Pat); and team leader Jada Walker. The family also wishes to express special thanks to all the staff at Schulenburg Regency Nursing Center and Compassionate Care Hospice of Bryan for taking good care of Milton.

He is survived by his loving wife of thirty-three years, Martha; daughter, Kathy Schultz Branscomb and husband Hill; daughter, Kelly Schultz Boucher; daughter, Emma Lauren Schultz; son, Gregory Stephen Holloway; brother, Ivan Dale Schultz and wife Ida Marie; brotherin- law, Joseph L. Davis; first wife, Grace Eileen Schultz; second wife, Sharon Wills. He is also survived by five grandchildren— Josephine Branscomb Kendrick and husband Blake; Nicolas Boucher; Samantha Boucher; Evan Holloway; and Kate Holloway; and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Vastine and Leona Schultz, by his sister Virginia Schultz Davis, and by his son Michael Scott Holloway.

Milton loved Fayette County and he loved birds. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Greater Fayette Community Foundation, P.O. Box 664, La Grange, Texas 78945; The National Audubon Society, ATTN: Donations, 225 Varick Street, 7th Floor, New York, New York 10014; or to the charity of your choice.

A visitation will be held on Friday, May 1, 2026, from 4 - 8 p.m. at Koenig-Belvill Funeral Home & Cremations of La Grange with the family present at this time to receive friends. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, May 2, 2026, at 2:30 p.m. at Koenig-Belvill Funeral Home & Cremations. Burial will follow at the La Grange City Cemetery.

Family and friends can view and sign the guestbook online at www.lagrangefunerals. com.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Koenig-Belvill Funeral Home & Cremations in La Grange.