August Max Schmidt

August 3, 1948-March 13, 2026

August Max Schmidt, III, born August 3, 1948, in Corpus Christi, Texas, to William and Madge Schmidt, passed away surrounded by the love of his family. He was preceded in death by his parents and his two older brothers, Bill and Jim Schmidt.

He is survived by his wife, Karen K. Schmidt; his children, Toni Dee Lancaster, John August Schmidt (daughter-in-law Jennifer Schmidt), and Dana Lyn Schmidt; his four cherished grandchildren, Noah August Schmidt, Mikaela Linn Lancaster, Micah Jae Lancaster, and Addie Elizabeth Schmidt; and his sister Mary Jane Schmidt (Saddington).

Max spent a lifetime, as he would say, “in the mud.” For more than 17 years he farmed alongside his father-in-law, John T. Miyakawa, cultivating over 5,000 acres in South Texas. In 1988, he moved to Grand Junction, Colorado, where he joined the Natural Resources Conservation Service. After retiring at age 60, his passion for land and water stewardship drew him back to work in 2009 as the manager of the Orchard Mesa Irrigation District in Mesa County.

Throughout his career, Max became a respected water advocate dedicated to modernizing aging irrigation infrastructure. His work helped bring the Vinelands Hydropower Plant online in 2022, a project that reflected his lifelong commitment to conservation and responsible water management.

Max treasured time with family at Lake Amistad, camping and skiing throughout Colorado, shooting with all of his kids and grandkids and, enjoying a great meal - usually wrapped in bacon! In his younger “cowboy” days, he was even known to ride a bull or two. He made many lifelong friends, worked tirelessly, and always made sure his family was taken care of. His grandchildren will especially remember the incredible tree houses he built just for them.

“Be strong enough to be gentle.”

Peter Cullen, voice of Optimus Prime.

Max will be deeply missed for his joyful outlook on life. Whenever someone asked how he was doing, he would smile and say, “So close to perfect, it’s scary.”