James Edward Schmidt, 93, of Leavenworth, Kansas, passed away at home on August 15, 2025, surrounded by his family. He was born January 7, 1932, in Easton, Kansas, to Joseph and Carrie (Hennessey) Schmidt. He was born at the family home, and continued to live there until he was 7 in 1939. After his grandfather’s hardware store closed due to the depression, the family moved to the farm. Jim and his dad worked the farm with his team of horses, Billy and Maude. The horse team was used to plow the fields, mow, put up hay, and haul wood. The family farm burned down in 1964 because of an electrical fire. Jim’s grandparents spoke in German so the children would not know everything they were saying.
James was preceded in death by his parents, Joe and Carrie Schmidt, his siblings, Cathryne Abel, Carol Glass, Joseph Schmidt and Daniel Schmidt, his son, Jerald Edward Schmidt, his granddaughter Nicole Suzanne Schmidt, and his sons-in-law, Patrick Carroll and John Rutledge. He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Barbara (Welch) Schmidt, his children, Pamela Rutledge, Ronald (Debbie) Schmidt, Diane (Steve) Soptic, Kathleen Carroll, James (Laura) Schmidt, Lori (Chris) O’Brien and Lisa Schmidt, 14 grandchildren, ten great grandchildren, numerous nieces andnephews, and his beloved cat, Slugger.
Affectionately known as “Slug” to many, James graduated from Easton Rural High School in 1949. He enlisted in the Air Force in July 1949 at the age of 17 and went to basic training at Lackland AFB in San Antonio. He chose the Air Force so he could attend radio operating school, which was in Kessler, MS. It was hot and humid there, but no storms while he was there. From 1951-52 he was stationed at the Sea of Japan working for Air Force Security Service during the Korean Conflict. His job was to intercept enemy messages. His work there was classified, and he could not talk about it until declassified many years later! He was discharged and then returned home.
He held numerous jobs including a KDOT construction laborer laying the original I- 70 near Tonganoxie and as a prison guard in Leavenworth. He transferred to Alcatraz and worked there for a few months. This short stint was always a favorite topic to discuss with his children, as he explained how he had to take the boat back and forth to shore and the Birdman of Alcatraz was an inmate while he was there.He returned home to get married and start a family. He met Barbara Welch, April 1955 at the Boling Grange Hall on Tongie Road where her brother Pat had taken her and her sister JoAnn to the dance. Jim took her home that night after they went to Rounders in Leavenworth to have hamburgers. On May 26, 1956, he married Barbara, and they were blessed to have eight children.He held several jobs on Fort Leavenworth the next few years. He worked at the disciplinary barracks, warehouseman in transportation, receiving at the commissary, and back to transportation as foreman. While in the transportation department he was recruited for a position in Quy Nhon, Vietnam from 1969-70 at the supply depot in that port city. This position was outside of normal military roles. His family had just built their house and the extra money he was paid for this position came in handy.
James then went to work at Bell Hall Command and General Staff College on Fort Leavenworth as a chief of classroom services. He retired after forty years of combined government service.Jim was elected School Board President of Easton USD 449 in 1974, which he continued for several years. He was very active in his church as a Eucharistic Minister, Lector, Alter Server, and Usher. He also was president of the St. Joseph’s Men’s Society. He sponsored 2 nieces who converted to Catholicism. He was a proud veteran who was a member of the Veterans of Foreign War, and the American Legion. For many years he traveled the country attending his USAFSS 15th Radio SQ Mobile annual reunions of which he was one of the last surviving members. He was a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles and former member of the Elks Lodge.
James was never one to just sit around, so after he retired from his government job, he enrolled at the University of Saint Mary in Leavenworth and earned a bachelor’s degree with a major in computer science. This degree led him to work as a network administrator at Kansas City KansasCommunity College for ten years. James finally really retired in 2002. He continued an active life enjoying gardening (the local food pantry received generous amounts of fresh produce), taking care of his home (anything that was broken he could fix!), woodworking (creating manyitems Barbara painted), watching wildlife, his weekly card games of Schafkopf, and rooting on the Royals, Chiefs, and Wildcats. He will be missed for his sharp wit, quick smile, and genuine interest in learning about anything and everything. His family will always appreciate his love and support in all they did. Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord. And let the perpetual Light shine. May he rest in peace.
Memorial contributions may be given to Xavier Catholic School.
Visitation will be on Tuesday, August 19 from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at Davis Funeral Chapel with the Rosary at 5:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be on Wednesday, August 20 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church. Burial will be at St. Lawrence Cemetery, Easton, Kansas.
