Jack was born April 22, 1945 in Wenatchee, Washington. His father, Glenn Schmidt was posted there by the Army to work in the coal mines. His mother was Betty Jo (Knight) Schmidt.
After Jack’s dad was discharged from the Army, they returned to Strasburg, Colorado to live and work on the Schmidt family wheat farm. Jack and his parents lived in a 10 X 10 grain bin that was moved from one windmill and stock tank to another. Later, when his sister was born, they moved into a small basement house.
The family raised wheat, pinto beans, potatoes, onions, sheep and cattle. The children were active in 4H and FFA. Jack and his sister Kathy worked on the family farm and for other farmers during harvest times.
The kids went to a one-room country school that had grades 1-12. The school had one bus, which was driven by the oldest boy in the school. Jack drove the bus his Junior year. At 17, he was recognized as the youngest school bus driver in the nation.
That summer, his parents bought a ranch in the mountains near Vail, and the family moved to Gypsum. Jack graduated from Eagle Valley High School.
During his college years, Jack worked as an auto mechanic and joined the Army ROTC. In 1969, he was sent to Vietnam. He was a 1st Lieutenant
and worked in supply at Long Binh. Jack lost part of his hearing when his barracks was shelled in the middle of the night. He didn’t try to run because there was no telling where the next shell would hit. He laid on his cot, holding a Gideon Bible and reciting the Lord’s Prayer over and over. He survived with out a scratch. After that he believed there was special power in the Lord’s Prayer and would pray it whenever he faced a real challenge.
In 1985, he moved to Douglas County, Missouri and started ranching there. In 1990, he married his wife, Connie.
Jack lived life at a high level of energy and enthusiasm that few people are capable of. His enthusiasm could hardly be contained. He loved a challenge and loved to work and build things. Besides raising cattle, he did numerous and diverse projects on the side. None of these projects made him rich, and some lost money. But at least they gave other people a job, and in some cases, an opportunity to do something they had never tried before.
Jack served for several years on the school board for Ava Victory Academy. He was a member of the Ava Full Gospel Church . He helped keep the church supplied with firewood. He helped other members when they needed construction work done or needed a dozer or backhoe.
Jack was still working full time at age 73, when he was diagnosed with bone cancer. He was determined to beat it and faced it with amazing courage and optimism. Two years later, a tumor broke his back and put him in a wheel chair.
Some people were afraid to call him when they heard this news. They expected him to be down and depressed. They were afraid they would have to come up with something to say to cheer him up – he cheered them up.
People liked to talk to Jack. He was truly interested in what they had to say. As it says in Romans 12:15, he rejoiced with those who rejoiced and mourned with those who mourned.
The end finally came on May 31, 2023. He departed for the next life at the age of 78.
Jack was preceeded in death by his parents and sister.
He is survived by his wife, Connie, and by his four children; Danelle Schmidt, Cathy Cornett, Cindy Jacobitz and Lee Schmidt. He also leaves behind nine grandchildren.
Funeral services for Jack will be Friday, June 9, 2023 at 2:00 P.M. in the Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Ava, Missouri. Visitation will be Friday from 1:00 P.M. to service time. Burial will be in the Thornfield Cemetery with Military Honors. Officiating will be Pastor Butch McCleary. Memorials may be made to The Gideons International. Services are being conducted by Clinkingbeard Funeral Homes, Inc., Ava, MO.
To plant Memorial Trees in memory of Jack Edward Schmidt, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.
Funeral Service
Friday, June 9, 2023
2:00 PM
Clinkingbeard Funeral Homes, Inc.
407 N Mansfield Rd
Ava, MO 65608
