Lee R. Schutt

Cleveland, Georgia resident Lee R. Schutt passed away peacefully on Monday, June 15, 2020, at the age of 83. He was born in Mt. Clemens, Michigan on November 17, 1936, to the late Lester and Doris Schutt of Armada, Michigan. Lee was preceded in death by his sister, Wilda Beaver, in 1996 and by his wife of 54 years, Sharon Schutt, in September 2019. He is survived by his daughter, Kelli Nix Miley, his grandson, Elijah Nix, and his faithful dog, Dixie, all of Cleveland, GA, as well as his sister, Dianne La Pointe of Michigan, niece Heather Hayes, nephew Hunter La Pointe and four cousins, James Tenniswood, Dave Tenniswood, Patricia Szewczyk, and Roy Smith.

 Second only to the Georgia mountains, Lee's favorite place to be was in his boat, fishing the crystal waters of Canada's Georgian Bay off of Lake Huron. The year he was born, his parents bought a log cottage on Dyers Bay and they took him in their boat, fishing. He retained that love of the sport and became known by many as a "fisherman extraordinaire". Summer months in his retirement years found him fishing “The Bay” where he might also be seen at any hour of the day or night helping neighbors launch or retrieve their boats from the powerfully changeable waters of the Great Lakes. Some of his memoirs are published in the book, Reflections of Dyers Bay, as well as in a DVD on the history of Dyers Bay.

 Lee grew up and graduated high school in the small farming town of Armada, Michigan. He attended Michigan State University before moving to Bonita Springs, Florida where he began his career with the Florida Power and Light Company. There he developed his lifelong love of the Gulf of Mexico, diving, snorkeling, and fishing its waters at every opportunity. He even had a commercial fishing operation as a sideline during his years there. A family vacation In 1973 led Lee and Sharon to discover the beauty of the North Georgia mountains. They purchased property and built a mountain cottage in Chestatee Estates near Cleveland, where he vacationed for many years before retiring there in 1993.    

 From his service in the U.S. Army and the Army Reserve in the 1960s to his leadership of the volunteer fire department in Bonita Shores in the 70s and 80s, Lee served his country and his community. After retiring to Cleveland in the 90s, he served on the board of the community water system in Chestatee Estates where he was always handy to help his neighbors and make repairs.

 In the words of his cousin Roy, Lee “made a great impression on everyone who met and knew him.” He was a man of faith, a patriot, a strong advocate for Second Amendment rights, and a shooting sports enthusiast. He was proficient in many skills and crafts and especially enjoyed working with stained glass which had been his grandfather's profession. Most of all, he was a fisherman, and was truly happiest on the water, be it Lake Lanier, the Gulf of Mexico, or the Great Lakes.  

 His family will have a quiet burial at Yonah View Memorial Gardens, since they are sure he is already enjoying a restful fishing trip on still waters.

 To share a memory or leave a condolence with the family, visit barrettfh.com.

 Barrett Funeral Home, Cleveland.