Paul Henry Schmidt

Paul Henry Schmidt, age 86, of Pheoenix, Ariz., died peacefully Friday, November 4, 2011, surrounded by his family. Paul was born on March 20, 1925, in Jefferson City, Mo., to Antone and Barbara (Rackers) Schmidt. His mother, Barbara, died of childbirth when Paul was five days old and his paternal grandmother raised the precious little guy until he was nine years old when he joined his newly married father and step-mother. He was a diligent paperboy and attended 12 years of Catholic school- Immaculate Conception Grade School and St. Peters High School- in his hometown. Paul enlisted in the United States Navy in June 1943, and served two years during World War II as a medical corpsman in the Pacific. A kind and caring Jane Westhues wrote to Paul while serving overseas. This was the beginning of a romance that lasted 63 years, as Paul and Jane were married at Immaculate Conception Church, in Jefferson City, on May 29, 1948. Paul worked as a carpenter and built their first family home in a nearby town of Wardsville, Mo. Four cherished children, Joe, Mary Jane, Elaine and Ann, were born to the couple. Then Paul was severely injured while working on the Missouri River Bridge construction in August 1954. This accident left Paul paralyzed and his recovery required two years of determined rehabilitation. Eight months after Paul's accident, their treasured youngest son, David, was born. Paul retrained as a draftsman to support his family, but was unable to continue due to his disability. The wet Missouri climate forced the family to move to warmer Phoenix, Arizona. In their new home, Paul became the family anchor. He kept the kids focused on school and family life, while supporting Jane in her added role as a medical technologist at St. Joseph's Hospital. Paul passed on his carpentry skills to his five children who practice his do-ityourself approach to life. Through the sacrifices of Paul and Jane and with their strong encouragement, all five children completed college. A second legacy he passed along was his love of playing pinochle. Card playing and hosting parties were the center of social life for Paul and Jane. Paul was a faithful and supportive member of S.S. Simon and Jude Parish for 53 years. A great source of strength for Paul was his Catholic faith. He had great love for his God and Savior and unwavering loyalty to his church and her laws. Paul is survived by his entire family whom he loved so, so much-his amazing wife, Jane; his five children, his 20 grandchildren, and his 11 greatgrandchildren. Funeral service was held Friday, November 11, 2011. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to 1st Way, St. Vincent de Paul Society or S.S. Simon and Jude scholarship fund. Services were under direction of Phoenix Memorial Park and Mortuary. 623-434-7000