Roger W. (Rod) Schmidt, 76, of Alma, died June 24, 2013 in Fort Smith. He was born July 25, 1936 in Rhinelander, WI to Sidney Waldo and Nettie Mae Sollars Schmidt. After serving in Germany, Japan, and Vietnam, he was medically retired from the U.S. Army with eighteen years service. Following retirement from the U.S. Army he earned a degree in Industrial Engineering from New Mexico State University at Las Cruces, NM after which he worked for the Department of Defense as Liaison between Army, Navy, Air Force missile defense contractors. He then worked for Fleet Missile system in China Lake, CA until he retired and moved to Alma, AR in 1993, where he volunteered as a coach for the Special Olympics Athletes for many years. Rod was a Christian man who instilled faith in his children and all those around him by living a good example. His whole life was based on Faith, Family, and Country. He will be missed more than words can say by his wife, Jan of 57 years.
He is survived by his wife, Jan Ware Schmidt of the home; two daughters, Kerri Stone and husband Chris of Eureka, CA and Shawn Elaine Schmidt of Alma; two sons, Greg Schmidt and wife Lisa of Bakersfield, CA and Scott Schmidt of Greenwood; one sister, Sharon Kern of Johnson, AR; two brothers, Sid Schmidt and wife Carol of Two Harbors, MN and Ken Schmidt and wife Linda of Fort Smith; grandchildren, Lauren McMillin & husband Jarod, Brittany Wegis and husband Jon, Jansen Zamora and husband Andrew, and Brandon Schmidt all of Bakersfield, CA, Allyson Stramotas and husband John of Redondo Beach, CA, Seth Stone and wife Ashley, Lucas Stone and wife Melody and Nathan Stone all of Sacramento, CA, and Daniel Bender and Gunner Schmidt of the home; and five great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one daughter, Cherlyn Schmidt, and one brother Rick Schmidt in 1969.
Funeral service will be Tuesday, July 2, 2013 at 10:00 AM in the Edwards Funeral Home Chapel with burial to follow in the U.S. National Cemetery with full honors all under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home.
The family will greet friends at Edwards Funeral Home on Monday evening from 5-7 PM
Memorials may be made to Special Olympics 3305 Kibler Road Van Buren, AR 72956
To sign an online guestbook visit www.edwardsfuneralhome.com
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