Dr. John A. Schmidt, age 69, passed away Monday, September 27, 2021 at his residence in Nederland, Texas. He was born in Port Arthur, Texas on November 16, 1952, to J.C. and Mildred Schmidt. He was the second of five siblings.
Dr. Schmidt graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in 1971 and received his Bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of Texas at Austin. He went on to complete a residency in general surgery in Des Moines, Iowa, and returned to his native Port Arthur to practice at Port Arthur Surgical Association. He retired in 2012 after 27 years of practice, and after finally beating Candy Crush he returned to work part-time at Tower Medical.
John enjoyed watching Astros games with his mother-in-law, eating any and all desserts, camping with his wife in their RV, and grilling for family get-togethers. Late nights he could be found reading books by lamplight on his kindle. But most of all he loved being a grandfather. He would usually have at least one grandkid on his lap in his recliner if not more watching Paw Patrol or YouTube kids on his iPad.
John is survived by the love of his life of 36 years, Bettye Schmidt; daughters, Jennifer Schmidt, Christian Ebenhack, Monica Bentzen and husband, Joshua, Veronica Pellegrin and husband, Trae; son, John Allen Schmidt, Jr., and wife, Melissa, and grandchildren Hudson, Hannah, Sawyer, and Roland.
He was preceded in death by his parents, J.C. and Mildred Schmidt, father-in-law Don McCollum, and daughter-in-law Carole Simon.
A private memorial service honoring Dr. John A. Schmidt’s life will be held at Melancon’s Funeral Home in Nederland, Texas with Pastor Rick Erwin, officiant.