Joachim Edward "Ed" Scholz
Joachim Edward "Ed" Scholz, was born on January 24, 1933, in Berlin, Germany, to Eduard and Hildegard Scholz, and passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 10, 2023, at his daughter’s home in Signal Mountain, Tennessee. He was surrounded by family and others who loved and cared for him.
Joachim Edward Scholz dedicated a significant portion of his life in service to his adopted country. He emigrated to the United States from Germany in the early 1950s. Shortly afterwards, he joined the United States Air Force where he served a distinguished and decorated career of nearly 27 years, retiring as a Colonel. Serving in Vietnam twice and flying during the Cuban missile crisis, he spent most of his career in national defense. After retiring from the Air Force, he worked briefly for a consulting firm before branching out on his own and starting Orion Research, specializing in the defense industry. After almost 20 years consulting, he dedicated the next 10 years to full-time, volunteer church service. When this church service ended in 2006 he spent another 12 years consulting in the nuclear industry.
His greatest service, however, was to the people he loved—family, friends, missionaries, and temple patrons—through various callings in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
Ed served in these church assignments with his beloved wife, Lois Groves Scholz, whom he married on December 20, 1957 in the Salt Lake City temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Together they had four children.
He is survived by his children Peter Scholz (Laura), Paris Goodnight (Chuck), Mary Hanks (Jonathan), and Daniel Scholz (Tiffany); 15 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; Lois’ sister, JoAnn Ondrak (Lee); and numerous nieces and nephews.
Preceded in death by his wife, parents, brother, many in-laws, and friends, Ed will be interred, in a private ceremony with military honors in the Chattanooga National Cemetery, alongside his eternal companion. His commitment to duty, as reflected in his extensive service record as a Colonel in the United States Air Force, is part of the Joachim Edward Scholz Collection at the Veterans History Project (https://www.loc.gov/item/afc2001001.86549/). This collection, an oral history interview conducted in 2012, stands as a testament to his life, service, and the sacrifices made by many individuals like him.
In commemorating Joachim Edward Scholz, may his legacy be honored, and may his family and friends find solace in the cherished memories they shared with him.
A memorial service will be held in his honor on Jan. 5, at 10 a.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints chapel on 1160 Ridgeway Ave., Signal Mountain, Tn.
Please share your thoughts and memories online at www.ChattanoogaNorthChapel.com
Arrangements are by Chattanooga Funeral Home, North Chapel, 5401 Highway 153, Hixson, Tn. 37343.