Herald Creighton Schade (84), born September 19, 1938 to James and Hazel Schade in Phoenix, Arizona, passed away on January 22, 2023 in Gilbert, Arizona. His life was filled with kindness and love for others. He was compassionate to all and there was nothing he would not do to help someone in need. Herald loved his wife, his own mother and siblings, his children, grandchildren, and he had a family that extended far beyond blood relations. He was a friend to all, and a grandpa and father to so many who grew to love him and accept him as their own as he did for them. Herald was known for his kind and gentle heart, his good sense of humor, and his ability to connect and interact with people. How he loved to talk.
Herald spent his life living in Arizona and served in the Air National Guard, for a time being stationed in France. After an honorable discharge, in 1963 he married Betty Marie Dilley in the Mesa, Arizona Temple, where she became his eternal companion. Herald obtained a BA in History and an MS in Education from Arizona State University. He loved to play basketball and was an avid golfer, and you would often find him playing with family and friends. Herald had a successful career in High-school education, where he affected so many as he taught and coached baseball (including an undefeated season) and golf. He loved sports, watching them with friends, and eating at Manuel’s with those he loved. His whole life revolved around family and friends. He loved them dearly. That love was amplified by his religious convictions and he was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was strong in his faith, loved his Heavenly Father and his Savior, Jesus Christ. Few things pleased him more than talking about Jesus.
Herald is survived by his dear wife, Betty, his children, Aaron (Karla) and Stacy, his grandchildren Jenna, Elizabeth, Ethan, Adam, and David, his sister Alberta, brothers John and Robert, nieces and nephews, and so many more who grew to love him dearly. Herald loved them with all his heart and cared for them to the very end. His life will live on for all of us and the lessons he taught us will continue to resonate in our lives. Thank you for the life lessons you taught, not just in word, but mostly in deed. We love you. We will miss you until we meet again.
Visitation will be at 11:00AM Friday, January 27, 2023, followed by funeral services at 12:00PM at the Crystal Shores Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints chapel in Gilbert Arizona, 1005 North Voyager Drive, Gilbert, 85234. The internment will be at the Mesa City Cemetery, 1212 N Country Club, Block 1268, Mesa, Arizona. Graveside dedication will begin at 1:30PM.
Arrangements by Bunker’s University Chapel, www.bunkerfuneral.com. Should this obituary appear anywhere but bunkerfuneral.com, please check our website for accurate details and service information.
Herald was always someone who made me laugh and smile “most of the time “. A wonderful man.
My best friend for over 70 years. We will miss you!
Harold was my neighbor and friend for over 10 years. He was a great man of good character and health and sickness. He was a patriarch of his family and a man of God. He endured till the end with Dignity. He will be sorely missed by all of us.
Herald was always there for me and our family. He always had a smile and a kind word to say. He was a great youth leader and my baseball coach in high school. My love and condolences to the Schade family. I have the hope of visiting with Herald again someday. T-Bone
Herald and I and families had many great times together …We made plenty of trips to Prescott to play in the Church softball tournaments…We also played a lot of golf together which was a lot of fun and laughs over the years… He will be missed by many…Prayers and Love to Betty and the kids…
In all my years of caring for people especially in end of life situations, I have to say his faith was amazing! I would always hear him pray especially during the last month. To hear him thank God for the helper’s. It was so humbling, he was always so kind and great full. I will forever miss my gentle giant lol. I am so blessed my youngest son Kashton built a friendship with him. I put in a lot of hours at work and my son grew to love him, he couldn’t say herald but called him hero! I believe it was very fitting! Trying to explain to a 4 year old lose of life is hard. But he understands enough, even this morning driving to school he said “ mom my hero isn’t here he is with Jesus?” I said yes baby he is. He said mom that mean I have my own angel! Yes you do! The innocence and love in this relationship is unforgettable and will always be cherished in my heart.
I am grateful for Herald’s positive impact in my life as a young man. Much love to the Schade family.
Herald always filled the room with his presence. He was constantly developing nicknames for those around him, with no effort to contain his joy when he found the perfect one. You knew he saw you as an individual. He took the time to teach me to play sports, took me to my first college football game, never missed an opportunity to put his arm around me and ask the questions that youth openly find annoying but inwardly understand it means they are loved.
Herald was a great friend to our Hibbert family. Knowing him through the years had been a great blessing to us all. Fun times making memories which he always remembered. A great man of history both wide and small. We love him and he will e sorely missed.
I am so sad that I was unaware of Herald’s passing until today. Herald was a rare and cherished friend.
When I was on the cusp of joining him in the fraternity of bilateral knee replacement recipients he became a counselor and cheerleader. I accepted his recommendation off Dr. Maxwell Thomas who he raved about, as I now do. Post-surgery a couple of tender moments stand out:
• after a severely trying day in the hospital when I struggled (unsuccessfully) to stand up for the first time, I laid despondently in bed, searching for something to feel good about. Then I thought of Herald — how he had befriended me and supported me. Though I was still heavily sedated, I somehow remembered his phone numbered. However, as I repeatedly tried to call him, I kept dropping off to sleep. I really wanted to talk to Herald but could not complete the darn phone call! As I considered accepting defeat, Herald walked into my room! It was late at night, probably 8:0″ pm or later, but he followed what had to be a prompting from the Holy Ghost, to come save me, and he did just that! He encouraged and comforted me, and I survived one of the darkest moments in my entire life. I hesitate to call anyone a ‘savior’ but, in this instance, that is exactly what he did. If he hadn’t appeared in my room when he did, I don’t know how I would have made it through the night.
• a week or two into my rehab — understand that having both knees replaced the same day, as both Herald and I chose to do — makes rehab not twice as difficult , but a thousand times more difficult. I failed to mention that, since my wife worked, I had no way to get to/from my 3/week appointments, and Herald again came to the rescue. So after one particular appointment, feeling I was not improving, Herald returned to pick me up and I expressed my discouragement. Her old said “I think you’re doing great” and I immediately changed from discouraged to ENcouraged. Once again, Herald saved me.
some of those who were unacquainted with Herald might have seen him as stern, but he was/is anything but that. To me, he is as Christ-like as anyone who has ever lived.