James Jason Schmidt

He was born on June 20, 1967, in Lebanon, Oregon. After graduating from Columbia High School in Troutdale, Oregon, he went on to obtain his Bachelor’s and Master’s of Science in Global Supply Chain Management from Portland State University. James also served in the US Army from 1986 to 1989 and was an expert in marksmanship with an M-16 rifle. From 1987 to 1989, he served overseas in Germany, then joined the National Guard from 1989 to 1994. He was a true American believer and a defender of the USA.

Throughout his life, James worked at Freightliner, Leatherman Tool Group and Johnstone Supply

James and Janet Schmidt were married in September of 1989 and remained happily together until James’s passing. For the last two years, they loved spending Friday night date nights together singing karaoke at Spinella’s.

James was outgoing and could pick up conversations with just about anyone at any time. He was also a very creative person with a wide variety of interests; he loved art and drawing, as well as building and painting models. He enjoyed woodworking, playing Dungeons & Dragons, reading Marvel and DC comics, and participating in the Highland Games. He was also a Jeep enthusiast and loved to barbecue and cook – he would even smoke his own meats and preserve a variety of foods.

James will forever be remembered as a deeply loving husband, father, and family protector. He loved spending time with his family, especially anywhere in nature that was near water or at the beach – his all-time favorite vacations were on the Hawaiian Islands.

James is survived by his wife Janet Schmidt, daughters Olivia Schmidt and Adriana Maddox, parents Sheryl Bonner, and Joseph Schmidt, son-in-law Isaac Maddox, sisters-in-law Joyce Shively and Patty Muncy, brothers-in-law Michael Shively and Ken Muncy, as well as his nieces Tracy Kalesse, Teresa McGrath, and Sarah Shively, father-in-law Tom Rodda, and his wife Jean.

There will be a Private Ceremony of Honors for James at Willamette National Cemetery.