Viewing will be 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM Thursday and Friday at Vondel L. Smith & Son Mortuary, 6934 S. Western Ave, OKC, OK 73139.

Funeral services to celebrate and honor his life will be held 1:00 PM Saturday, April 26, 2025 at the South Colonial Chapel of Vondel L. Smith & Son Mortuary, 6934 S. Western Ave, with burial following at Sunny Lane Cemetery in Del City, Oklahoma.

Friends may leave condolences for the family at www.vondelsmithmortuary.com

Jacob Schatz

August 12, 1940 ~ April 19, 2025

It is with profound sadness we announce the passing of Jacob Schatz, fondly known as "Jake". He went to be with his Heavenly Father on Saturday, April 19, 2025 at the age of 84. The son of Maria (Peterson) and John Jacob Schatz, Jacob was born on August 12, 1940 in Lewiston, Idaho. While in Idaho, he attended school at Orchards Elementary, Lewiston Jr. High and graduated Lewiston High School. Jacob enlisted in the Army National Guard where he was proud to honorably serve his country from June 1959 until March of 1963. There, Jacob excelled as a marksman and sharpshooter earning several medals during his service. He served in the MMB 1st Howitzer Battalion of the 145 Artillery. While serving in the Army National Guard, Jacob made many lifetime friends and was still active in the American Legion and VFW throughout his life. He worked as a bank teller at Idaho First National Bank, then moved to Oklahoma to continue his education at Bethany Nazarene College with his focus of studies in the field of business. Following his education pursuits, He proudly built ABC Coffee & Vending Service in OKC, then started insulating homes as Owner of Metro-Plex Insulation. He became a general contractor and specialized in home foundation leveling, foundation repairs and French drains as Metro-Plex Foundation & Drain Systems. This became his life career and he was a successful business owner and operator for more than 60 years. Jacob was a man of many talents and skills and enjoyed learning about many trades along the way, a true entrepreneur, jack of all trades and go getter. He was the kind of man who turned trails and obstacles in opportunities to learn and advance toward success. Jacob fell in love with a beautiful woman, Annamarie Cassel. They were inseparable and united in marriage on May 4, 2002 in Oklahoma City and build a life of love and devotion while being happily married for more than 23 years. Together they shared four daughters in addition to being a loving husband, devoted father, and dedicated provider for his home and family. He loved being a father and a grand father and his family was the center of his world. He was a man of strong faith, avid reader of the Bible and western novels. He was also a passionate gardener, a lover of nature, a birdwatcher, a skilled cook, an OKC Thunder Basketball and OU football enthusiast, an animal lover and a beloved friend. His happy place was sitting in his favorite recliner, eating one of his delicious home-cooked meals, watching either a John Wayne western he had probably seen a hundred times, or cheering his OKC Thunder team towards another victory. Spending time with his family was considered his most precious and cherished times. At a young age, Jacob came to know the Lord as his personal friend and Savior. Jacob asked the Lord into his heart and dedicated his life to loving and serving the Lord and others with his time, talents, and life. Jacob truly had a servant's heart and thoroughly enjoyed fellowshipping and worshipping at his church, Bethany Bible Missionary Church where he often volunteered with the youth organizations while serving at the church in many different capacities. In earlier years, he was an incredible leader of young men and respected Commander of the Royal Rangers Intl. Boys Youth Ministry. He took pride in teaching them how to be strong, God fearing young men. Also teaching them ropes course, camping skills, and even how to build a fire in the middle of nowhere to cook his famous kettle stew and hobo dinners on the open fire. He loved serving, but nothing was as important as being with his family that he loved with all his heart. He was truly a man after God's own heart. He will be fondly remembered by his kindness, generosity, excellent cooking, jovial sense of humor always making people laugh and feel special. He will be greatly missed and will be held close to our hearts each day.

He was preceded in death by his:

Parents; John Jacob Schatz and Maria Schatz;

Brothers, Victor and Bernard Schatz.

He leaves behind his loving family:

Wife, of 23 years, Anna Marie Schatz;

Daughter, Lori Landreth and husband, Ronnie;

Daughter, Kerri Scott

Daughter, Holly Hamon and husband, Chris;

Step-Daughter, Amber Ashworth and husband, Brad;

Grandchildren, Brooke Landreth, McCall Gibbs and husband, Luther; Lauren Winfield, Caden Winfield, Cashten Scott, Zoe Ashworth, Sheriden Thomsen, Chance Thomsen, Makenzy Sanders and husband, Joshua; Ashlen Hamon, and Carson Hamon;

Great grandchildren, Hank and Josie Sanders;

Sister, Marcia Lenker of OR;

Sister-in-law; Linda Schatz of ID; and many nieces and nephews