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Donald L. Schmidt
Donald L. Schmidt
Donald L. Schmidt, a World War II veteran, devoted family man, longtime educator and community volunteer, died on January 4, 2024, in Round Rock, Texas. He was 97.
Don was born on August 3, 1926, on his grandparents’ farm near the town of Oakdale, Nebraska in Antelope County. He was equally proud of his Nebraska heritage and of Texas, where he lived for 88 years. After graduating from high school in 1944, Don volunteered and served in the United States Navy Amphibious Force on the U.S.S. Rockwall, APA 230, with landings at Iwo Jima, Okinawa and Amori, Honshu, Japan. He spent the last seven months of his service in Shanghai, China.
The most significant event in his adult life was marrying Doris Bennight, his beloved wife and friend of 63 years. The two met in 1946 at the Methodist Wesley Foundation in Kingsville, Texas, where both were students at the Texas College of Arts and Industries. Both went on to become educators in Texas public schools.
Don was proud of his 35 years of service in the education profession as a teacher, principal and curriculum director. He spent eight years (1949-1957) working for the Harlingen Independent School District, first as a teacher at Gay Junior High School and later as the principal of Colonial Acres and James B. Bonham elementary schools. In 1957, Don and his family moved to Austin, where he worked for the Austin Independent School District for twenty-five years. During his employment with AISD, he taught sixth grade at Highland Park Elementary School, served as principal of Zavala and Hill Elementary Schools, and was the Director of Elementary Education. From 1959 to 1961, Don took a brief hiatus from AISD to consult for the Texas Education Agency’s Department of School Accreditation. After retiring in 1984, Don served as president of District 13, Texas Retired Teachers Association.
Don and Doris were members of University United Methodist Church in Austin and later the First United Methodist Church and Pathfinders Sunday School class in Georgetown. Don became a Mason in the Hill City Masonic Lodge No. 456 in Austin and later joined the San Gabriel Lodge 89 in Georgetown. Both he and Doris were members of Hadassal Chapter 188, Order of the Eastern Star, where she served as Secretary and Worthy Matron.
Don enjoyed gardening, woodcarving, RVing, the Georgetown Natural History Club and table games with friends and family. He was a volunteer and supporter of The Caring Place, Meals on Wheels, and The Williamson County Historical Museum.
Don was preceded in death by his parents, Karl H. Schmidt and Mabel Jean Cross; stepmother Elizabeth Titus Schmidt; brothers Tudd Schmidt and Ransom Patrick Cross; and his beloved wife, Doris Yvonne Bennight Schmidt. He is survived by his children: Gregory Schmidt and wife Marcela of El Paso; Deborah Schmidt and partner Steve Brooks of Austin; and Kimberly Roland and husband Dave of Lockhart. He is also survived by four grandchildren: Christine Schmidt of Minnesota; Samuel Collier and wife Jacqueline; Joshua Collier; and Kiah Collier Zacek and husband David Zacek, all of Austin; and three great grandchildren: Amaya, Maura, and Vale Collier. Additional survivors include sister Sandra Weindel and husband Ralph of Wrightsville, Pennsylvania; sister Marilyn Young of Garland, Texas; and sister Kitty Schmidt Phillips of Mt. Vernon, Arkansas.
His family is grateful to neighbors Carol and Bill Gooch and former neighbors Tammy and David Traeger for friendship and assistance; caregivers Cheri Hilderbrand, Leslee Matthews and Kelly Daniels of Comfort Keepers in Georgetown; Mike and Tammy Richards and the staff of The Oaks in Georgetown; longtime friends and fellow Oaks residents Joe and Ruth Way; and the staff of University Village in Round Rock, especially caregivers Imelda Benitez, Elsa Martinez, Rosa Matharoo, Kanesha McGowan, Neverle Simons and Apolonia Uwayezu.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 3 p.m. on Saturday, January 27, at the First United Methodist Church, 410 E University Avenue, Georgetown, Texas 78626. A reception will follow. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to The Caring Place in Georgetown, where Don was a founding member:
https://www.caringplacetx.org. This obituary and a video tribute can be accessed at https://www.ramseyfuneral.com.