Howard Dean Schmitt, 89, of Amarillo passed away on October 20, 2024. He was born June 23, 1935, in Hammond, Indiana to Joseph Anthony Schmitt and Bertha Johanna Yeager.
Howard Dean Schmitt served in the US Navy for 20 years. He had utmost respect, loyalty and love for his country. He served as a ship-fitter (welder) on the USS Lexington, the USS Prairie and several others ships before retiring in 1979 with the rank of Petty Officer, 1st Class.
He met his lifelong Sweetheart, Alma LaRoche while stationed in Newport, Rhode Island in 1959. They married soon after and their family grew, having three daughters, Therese, Deana, and Robin, and a son, Howard Andrew.
Howard enjoyed camping and took the whole family on cross-country adventures to visit relatives annually, traveling all the way from California to Indiana or Rhode Island, in their little Chevy truck with a camper shell on the back, stopping at National Parks and Historic Landmarks along the way.
He was an avid fan of old western movies, especially any starring John Wayne or Clint Eastwood.
Howard loved horses and horseback riding, and genuinely appreciated the beauty of nature, especially the Fall colors of New England. But mostly, he loved spending time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren.
During his final two and a half years, Howard lived at the Thomas E. Creek Veteran’s Administration Community Living Center where he received exceptional, loving care and was affectionately known as “Schmitty.”
He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph Anthony Schmitt, and Bertha Johanna Yeager; one brother, Joseph Karl Schmitt; three sisters, Betty Bebler, Edith Camp, Nancy Struhs; his loving wife of almost 57 years, Alma LaRoche Schmitt, and a daughter, Deana Willcutt of Rhode Island.
Howard is survived by two daughters, Robin Frazier and husband of Rhode Island, Therese Ladd of Fort Worth Texas; one son, Howard Andrew and wife Lori Crist of Amarillo; 9 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren from all over the place.
A Memorial Service with Military Honors will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, October 28, 2024, at Pinnacle Community Church, 7305 Coulter Street South, Amarillo, Texas, under the personal care of Lighthouse Funeral Home.
I’m going to miss my dad very much! I’m thankful that I was able to talk to him on his birthday June 23rd 2024 and he was at a ball game with my brother! He had a big grin on his face because he loved going to the ball games with my brother!
Our sympathies to the family!
Your Dad left a record to be proud of… in this world of so many short marriages he was an inspiration to to many! Bless his marriage, family and service to his country!
An honorable accomplishment!
Howard and I were shipmates on board the USS Prairie.
That is where he introduced me to his sister in law Mary. And I became part of his family. I will cherish our memories
I had the honor and privilege to care for Schmitty for the past year and a half. He always had a smile on his face and was ready to give me a hard time. He was a special guy and will be missed greatly. Prayers for peace for the family.
Howard Sr. and the Schmitt family were a constant part of my childhood. They were often over for dinner (and vice-versa) when we lived in Cuyamaca State Park (near San Diego). Even when we moved to Northern California, we would visit them in Alameda. They would also come visit us in Oroville. A memory that stands out is when Howard Sr. took Howard Andrew and I to the drive-in theater to see “Star Wars” for the first time. By luck, the second movie was John Wayne in “The Shootist”. I know John Wayne was a favorite of Howard Sr. The last time I saw Howard was when I was on a U.S. Air Force trip to Rhode Island in the mid-90s, and was able to visit. Howard had a good sense of humor, and was an American patriot who spent 20 years in the U.S. Navy. He will be missed.
A grateful and independent spirit to the very end. I will greatly miss him! He made me laugh daily. Truly an honor to have gotten to care for him. Prayers of comfort, peace and good memories.
Caring for Mr. Schmitt was truly a special adventure, full of laughter, mischief, and unconditional love. He was a special person who was loved dearly and he will be missed by us all. I will forever think of him every time I eat a Nutty Butty. His favorite bedtime snack. Prayers of comfort and peace to the family.
It was truly an honor and blessing to get to know and care for our schmitty. He was pure gold to us all here at the VA and we will miss him tremendously. He was our sunshine and we loved him so much, his memory will always be with us. I pray for peace and comfort to the family
It was an honor and a privilege to take care of Schmitty! He always had a smile on his face! Such a sweet man! He will be missed dearly!