Timothy Schmidt

Timothy Michael Schmidt aka “Smitty”, as he was affectionately known as a beloved father, brother, friend and soldier, passed away January 21, 2026, at the age of 73 in Chico, Texas. Timothy was born on October 30, 1952, Ocheyedan, Iowa. He grew up with a strong sense of work ethics and always wanting to learn which defined him throughout his whole life.

His life will be honored during a visitation on February 28, 2026, from 12:30 pm to 1:30 pm at the Hawkins Funeral Home in Bridgeport, Texas. Following this, a graveside service will take place at 2:00 pm at Chico Cemetery, where family and friends gather to pay respect and say their goodbyes. We will do a Virtual Funeral Service starting at 2 p.m. link will be posted later when set up.

A proud Veteran, Timothy served in the U.S. Army from 1972 to 1992, serving for over 20 years, achieving many awards and certificates. During service, he forged friendships and developed a profound respect for the sacrifices made by those in uniform - “HOOAH”. His military service shaped his character with a sense of duty and commitment to community. During his last duty station Fort Detrick, Maryland in 1989 to 1992. Once established there, he followed his passion for auto mechanics by finding a second job at Pep Boys where Gerald Erickson of Berkely Springs, MD, was his manager and from their Timothy showed Gerald why you hired me and out worked his fellow employees. Gerald saw a man who gets things done. So, Timothy and Gerald remained best friends ever since with daily talks about the weather and “What you got going on today?”. After retirement in 1992, he reached out to his brother Mark Schmidt for any jobs and he told him ”Get your butt down here.” we got a lot of work as contract welders”. Timothy moved to Chico to become a welder, close to his brother Mark where he worked as an independent contract welder too. Mark showed him the ropes of being in the Oil Field and Timothy took it from there and ran with it. While on a welding job in 1996, he met Kevin Pewitt and his wife Valerie of Chico TX. Tim saw Kevin as a son he never had so Timothy called him almost every day to talk weather and “What you doing today?” question and then offers his view on how he can help for any projects or jobs going on that day. After welding, he Bought a Food Trailer in 2021 and called it Smitty's Smoked Meats and Eats. His family pulled together to help get it off the ground. His granddaughter, Jade Brodeur of OKC, designed the logo for his business. The primary plan was to bring family together and work the trailer with him. Timothy traveled to Maryland in 2022 to continue his dream with his youngest Daughter Roberta Schmidt and grandson Ryan Schmidt. Timothy showed them how to smoke different types of food and they worked many Festivals and Events for the last three years in Maryland. He returned to Chico in late 2025 to retire and enjoy his life at his own place and work his shop where he had plans to samke arrangements for his oldest daughter to move in and help rebuild a couple classic cars he owns alongside his daughter Patricia and son-in-law Kevin Brodeur, of Oklahoma City, Ok.

Timothy is mourned by his loving family and friends. He is survived by his daughters, Patricia Ann and her husband Kevin of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and Roberta Lynn Schmidt of Frederick, Maryland. His legacy continues through his brothers and sisters, Mark Schmidt and his wife Susie of Chico, TX, Mary Langworthy and her husband Larry of Raleigh, North Carolina, Thomas Schmidt and his wife Sara of Albuquerque, New Mexico and Becky Bandy and her husband Larry of Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He also leaves behind seven grandchildren with nine great grandchildren also a host of friends who cherished his presence. Timothy was proceeded in death by his parents, Cline Conrad Schmidt and Evelyn Jean Schmidt, and his brother Daniel Paul Schmidt of Ocheydan, Iowa. Their memory will forever live in the hearts of those who remain, as they were central to his life's story.

As we reflect on Timothy's life, we remember him for his kindness, wisdom, and the profound impact he had on everyone who had the privilege of knowing him. He will be dearly missed and lovingly remembered in the stories we share, the lessons he taught, and the love he bestowed upon us. 

Thank you SSG Timothy Michael Schmidt of the United States Army, for your service to our country for 20 years.

United States Army Staff Sargent Timothy Michael Schmidt

" Rest in peace soldier, we have the watch.”

- Brothers In Arms