Gerald James Schmidt Sr.

Gerald James Schmidt, Sr. passed away October 10, 2013 at the age of 86. He was born August 12, 1927 in Dilworth, Texas to William Richard Schmidt, Sr. and Carrie Ermis Schmidt. He is preceded in death by his parents and granddaughter, Carrie Lynn Schmidt. He is survived by his wife and best friend of 67 years, Marjorie Dobie Schmidt, and children Gerald “Smitty” Schmidt, Jr. (Linda), Sherry (Mike) Havelka, and Stanley (Debbie); five grandchildren: Jason (Samantha) Schmidt, Traci (Phillip) Zimmerhanzel, Chris (Sterling) Havelka, Kyle (Lindsey) Schmidt, and Kalli Schmidt (Will Holder); twelve great-grandchildren: Peyton, Kaedyn, Brogan, Rowdi Jo and Twyster Jace Schmidt, Tyler and Sydney Zimmerhanzel, Nixon, Daren and Deacon Havelka, Hudson Schmidt and Gage Holder; brother William (Georgia) Schmidt, Jr. and sister Joan (Alton) Winsauer. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews. Gerald graduated from Mathis High School and lived in the area for the most of his life. He loved the Lord, his church, family, friends, farming and his companion of ten years, Sparky, his rat terrier. He also loved our nation, having served in the Marine Corps during World War II. Gerald was an independent, diligent steward of the land, tilling and farming our Lord’s precious natural resource for over 60 years. He found pride, happiness and honor in hard work. He was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Mathis, Texas his entire adult life. He was a member of the KJT organization and Knights of Columbus. Gerald was affectionately known as Baba to his loving wife and family. His playful nature and tales of animals with human characteristics provided many wonderful memories for his grandchildren. Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, October 12, 2013, at 10:00 am at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Mathis. Visitation will be held at Dobie Funeral Home on Friday from 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm with rosary at 7: 00 pm. Pallbearers will be grandsons, great-grandsons, Peyton Schmidt and Tyler Zimmerhanzel, and son-in-law, Mike Havelka. Honorary pall bearers will be his granddaughters, great granddaughters, great grandsons, nephew, Billy Schmidt, and friends, Jack Freitag and George Bradley. Special thanks to his family doctor for many years, Dr. Mark Strauss, and the members of his wonderful staff. We would also like to thank nurse and special friend, Rosa Bonilla, and the members of the Nurses on Wheels Hospice Program. Support and love from Estella Cortinas and George and Shirley Bradley has been greatly appreciated. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Mathis Sacred Heart Church Charities or the South Texas Children’s Home. Dobie Funeral Home Mathis, Texas