Ryan graduated from Victoria High School in 1996 where he was active in varsity basketball and voted class clown all four years. Following high school, he attended St. Edward’s University and majored in Political Science and was Student Body President his senior year. He went on to graduate from Texas Tech School of Law. He spent the next 20 years practicing law in Victoria and Houston. When he wasn’t working, you would find him in his favorite John Deere baseball cap or kicking up his Lucchese boots and at the family ranch. He was an avid sportsman and whenever he could, he enjoyed fishing, hunting, and target shooting. But the roles most special to his heart were loving his Bonnie Blue and that of proud uncle to all his nieces and nephews. He was a legacy member of the Independent Cattlemen’s Association, and a proud member of the Sons of the Republic of Texas, and the Sons of the Confederacy. Ryan was always ready with a quick remark, a fast laugh, and a sharp mind. Nothing mattered to him more than his family.
Ryan left behind a huge family that loved him. He is survived by his mother and stepdad, Drew and Marilyn Stewart of Victoria; sisters, Lindsey Schmidt Tumlinson (Wes) of Millican, TX; Lindsay Stewart Kulhanek (Cliff) of Katy, TX; Brittany Stewart Hauck (Chris) of Katy, TX, and all his nephews and nieces: Baylis, Clifton, Justin, Kailey, Emmalyn, Briggston, Bryker, and Broen, as well as aunts and uncles, Debbi Roskey (Tim), Lana Schmidt-Morris, Patrick Franke (Kim), Russell Schmidt, Mary Schmidt; cousins, Brittany Hudson, Cody Rader, Michelle Pruskie; their children, Jonah, Daniel Hannah Hudson, and JR Pruskie and many beloved friends.
He was preceded in death by his father, John David Schmidt, and his grandparents, Elton and Pat Franke, and Joachim and Iris Schmidt and uncles, Russell Franke and Keith Schmidt.
A rosary will be recited at 9:30am on Tuesday, November 21, 2023 with a Mass to follow at 10am at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Victoria. Burial will immediately follow at Coletoville Cemetery. A celebration of life will follow at Martin Luther Lutheran Church’s Christian Center next to the cemetery.
Pallbearers are Cody Rader, Clay Wiatrek, Trey Erwin, Craig Dillard, John Buzzell, and Russell Durrant.
Honorary Pallbearers are Baylis Tumlinson, Jonah Hudson, Daniel Hudson, Briggston Hauck, Bryker Hauck, and Broen Hauck
Memorial Donations may be made to Independent Cattlemen’s Association Victoria-Crossroads ICA Chapter or www.K9Officers.org.
Words of comfort may be shared at www.rosewoodfuneralchapel.com.
