Joseph Richard Schmidt was born on July 14, 1941, in Bergman, Arkansas and went to be with the Lord on December 16, 2024, at the age of 83 years and 5 months.

He was raised on a farm in Arkansas by his grandparents, until the age of 15, when he left the farm and moved to Kansas City where he worked odd jobs to support himself and finish school.  On his 17th birthday while walking around an area of Kansas City, he came across a Coast Guard recruiting office.  He went in, obtained the necessary paperwork, took it home for his mother to sign, returned the paperwork to the recruiting office and soon thereafter he was on his way to Cape May, New Jersey.  He would spend the next 5 years in the Coast Guard.  While in the Coast Guard and stationed in Galveston, Texas, Joe met and married the love of his life Margaret Louise Rawlins.  They were married on December 8, 1961, and had just celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary before he passed away.

In 1963, Joe left the Coast Guard and enlisted in the Army.  During his time in the Army, he went through Army flight school and flew helicopters in Viet Nam and on various missions around the United States earning his Senior Aviator wings.  He also earned a bronze star for his Viet Nam service.  Joe served a total of 20-1/2 years of military service before retiring in October 1978.   While stationed in Lawton, Oklahoma, Joe earned a bachelor's degree in general education from Cameron University.

Once retired from military service, Joe worked for Ralston Purina for a while before going to work for the State of Texas Corrections in 1984.  He held various positions and worked on various units throughout the state before retiring as a Building Major in 1997 with 13 years of service.   After retiring from the State of Texas, Joe worked some odd jobs and had a business venture with his sons.

During their years together, Joe and Louise moved to various locations while he was in Military service.  They spent many years in Lampasas, Texas and lived in Lake Jackson for a few years to be near their family before retiring to Huntsville.  Together they raised two sons and they have one grandchild and two great grandchildren.

Joe enjoyed hunting and fishing.  He was a great musician enjoying playing his banjo, guitar and various other instruments.  He often played in bluegrass bands wherever they were.  He enjoyed volunteering on Texas Youth Hunts with his oldest son and grandchild.  He volunteered at stock shows for Texas Parks and Wildlife for youth education.  He also taught hunter education classes in the Walker County area.

Joe was preceded in death by his mother Mildred Lorene Abel and her husband Chris Abel and his grandparents Floyd and Alta Price.  He is survived by his wife Margaret Louise Schmidt, his sons Joseph R. Schmidt II (Brenda) and Timothy Scott Schmidt.  One grandson Travis A. Schmidt (Jenna), his great grandsons Tyer A., and Joseph "Joey" J. Schmidt, one sister Jolene Rutledge (Jim) and 2 nephews Brian Rutledge (Sonja) and James Christopher Rutledge (Tracy).

In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to the Cook Springs Baptist Church children's programs, or a charity of your choice or plant a tree in his honor.