John Dudley ("JD") Schueler

John Dudley ("JD") Schueler, age 59, of California, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, August 3, 2011. Born in Bartlesville, Okla., on January 1, 1952, he was the beloved son of the late Robert C. and Mary (Dudley) Schueler. JD graduated from Sooner High School in Bartlesville in 1970, received a B.A. degree in Sociology from the University of Kansas, and earned an M.B.A from SUNY-Albany. Shortly after graduate school, he began a career in the newly-emerging information technology industry, and for many years was a senior technical analyst for Wang Laboratories in St. Louis and Jefferson City. He subsequently moved to the University of Missouri Health Sciences Center in Columbia, where his team implemented state of the art networking and computing capability in the years prior to and during the emergence of the modern internet. A person who prized his independence, JD eventually took the path of entrepreneurship. He and Rita established California Glass Arts, a regionally-known supplier of stained-glass supplies, custom designs, and craft workshops. In recent years, the family opened the Z-Diner in California where some of JD's family and personal recipes became customer favorites. He and Rita recently also contracted to operate the cafeteria at Cargill, Inc. in California, known as Z-Cafe. From an early age, JD displayed much inquisitiveness and a fondness for tinkering and engineering-related activities. He built a neon sign shop in his basement and produced neon constructions for friends and family. He developed a deep understanding of vehicle repair and was adept at retail facility outfitting. His hobbies included computers and photography. He is survived by his loving wife, Rita Kutterer Schueler; his devoted sons, Elliott Schueler and Nolan Schueler, both of California; his brother, Alan Schueler, nephew, Mark Schueler, great-nephew, Isaac Schueler, all of Durham, N.C.; and by many other loving aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held on Monday, August 8, 2011 at 6:30 p.m. at 600 Pinto Lane, California, with friends being received prior from 4:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the J.D. Schueler Family, P.O. Box 443, California, MO 65018.