DONOR STORIES

Anyone who knew John Fultz would know that the latter was a description of his life.

John was born to Ellis and Edith (Martin) Fultz on October 28, 1935. From the moment he was born, the small town of Salem, Indiana was his home. John grew up with three siblings – one sister and two brothers. They were raised on a small farm on Orchard Road. John remembered working with the milk cows and pigs, as well as helping with the crops. He said, “We used horses to do the work until the tractor was purchased,” when he was an older child. Although the tractor helped some, John said, “It was a lot of hard work” growing up. “I decided I didn’t want to be a farmer when I grew up, that’s for sure!”

Although he did not want to become a farmer for a living, John did enjoy participating in 4-H for a good majority of his childhood. He was about 10 years old when he began showing various types of cattle at the 4-H fairs. He said that he owed a huge thank you to 4-H, as it was the first opportunity that taught him how to become a leader and become more outgoing as a young person.

Up until the seventh grade, John went to the small country school near his home, Ebenezer School. When he got to eighth grade, he became a student at Salem Elementary School. For the next five years, he stayed in the Salem school corporation and then graduated from Salem High School in May of 1953. After he graduated, John took about a year to work and earn some money as an employee of Smith Cabinet.

Shortly after, he began his freshman year of college at Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana. He said, “My sister knew the woman who was in charge of dining services. She got me a job in the cafeteria, so I worked my way through school.” When he was not working or in class, John picked up a side-hobby: table tennis. At Ball State, the students had table tennis competitions every year – it was one of the highlights of the year! John said, “I didn’t like to get beat, so I practiced and practiced and practiced. My freshman year, I didn’t win. But my sophomore and junior years, I got a little better. By senior year, I found the best teammate on campus and we won the tournament!”

Table tennis was not the only thing he worked hard at, though. John continued to succeed in his classes, as well. In 1958 he graduated from Ball State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and a minor in middle-school language arts.

After that, John did not waste any time and hurried to jump into his teaching career. He taught for a year in Jefferson Township, and then spent the following two years in Jackson Township. Finally, he found the place he was looking for, right back at home. John taught at Salem Elementary School for about 40 years before retiring. He said, “I just enjoyed being able to help students get through school and get a good education. So, I tried to provide the students with encouragement every chance that I could.”

Much of John’s inspiration to succeed and to help others succeed came from his own first grade teacher, Mr. Howard Morris. John remembered when Mr. Morris gave him a book that he had signed. Inside of the front cover, the teacher drew a large “W”, and next to it he wrote the words: “Work will win while wishing won’t.” John said that was a lesson that he would remember for the rest of his life, and one that he would strive to teach both his students and his own children.

Not long after his teaching career began, John also began coaching sports. Throughout his time at Salem, John said he coached a little bit of everything. Early in his sports tenure, a fellow coaching friend of his set John up on a date with a young lady he knew. Her name was Carolyn Nuckles. She was also raised in Salem and lived on Shelby Street in town. John only lived a few blocks from her home, so as they began dating, he was never more than a few minutes away. After about a year or so, the two were married. They remodeled the home on Shelby Street, where they lived ever since.

About two years later, the couple had their first child, a son named Ryan. Following Ryan, they had their daughter, Renee. John and Carolyn raised their family to have a strong faith in God and to always remember to let Him work in their lives. They were members of the High Street Church of Christ, where John, in his later years, served as an elder and trustee. John said, in addition to faith, he believes that “we should be servants to our fellow people, the best we can with God’s help.”

All throughout his life, John tried his hardest to practice what he preached. He said, “In Washington County, you have so many opportunities to serve the people.” He did this by getting involved with leadership boards for various causes throughout the community. The following are some efforts that he was privileged to be a part of.

 

• Wash. Co. Economic Development Board
• River Hills Board
• Hoosier Uplands
• Wash. Co. Substance Abuse Council
• Wash. Co. Community Foundation
• Wash. Co. March of Dimes
• Wash. Co. Farmers Merchants Fair Board
• Old Settlers' Day
• City & County Concil
• Salem Redevelopment Board
• Indiana Bicentennial Board
• Salem Exchange Club
• Wash. Co. Hospital Foundation Board
• Chamber of Commerce