A CELEBRATION of life for Tom Schultz, Garden Grove fire chief, will be held on Feb. 13 in Fullerton (Shutterstock).

A celebration of life for Tom Schultz, Garden Grove’s 13th fire chief, will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 13 at 2 p.m. at the Evangelical Free Church, 2801 Brea Blvd. in Fullerton.

Schultz, 54, passed away on Jan. 27 due to the effects of liver and pancreatic cancer. A 34-year veteran of fire service in Orange County, Schultz had served as deputy fire chief in Fullerton and Brea, and spent 3.5 years heading the Garden Grove Fire Department.

He also taught fire science classes at Santa Ana College and was president of the Orange County Fire Chiefs Association.

He was survived by daughter Sarah and Marissa, son Andrew and wife Kim.

“We are devastated by the tremendous loss of our chief, friend and family, but our fire fighters and the Schultz family have found strength through the overwhelming amount of heartfelt thoughts, condolences, prayers, and emotional and financial support for the family from our communities and beyond,” said acting GGFD chief T.J. McGovern.