Gordon Schmidt

Gordon Schmidt, age 82, of Hoschton and formerly of Marietta died Sunday, July 5, 2015 from illnesses.  Born in 1933, he was raised on a farm in Oklahoma and graduated from Gotebo High School and Oklahoma State University.  Gordon served in the U.S. Army on active duty and in the active army reserve, retiring in 1988 as a Colonel.  COL Schmidt was also a career civil servant, having worked as a soil scientist with the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture for a few years and then with the U.S. Dept of Commerce in Washington, D.C.  With the USDOC he was an industry analyst in the Chemicals Division of the Business and Defense Services Administration.  Later he became Assistant Ombudsman for Business and retired from the Commerce Dept. as director of Business Assistance Div. in the Office of Business Liaison.  After retirement Gordon worked as a funeral associate with H.M. Patterson & Son funeral directors for over 10 years where he served with dignity, distinction and dedication.  Mr. Schmidt was preceded in death by his wife of 42 years, Martha Jo Blair.  In 2007 Gordon met, courted and married Marie Whiffen who had been widowed about as long as he.  Happiness began anew for them.  Upon their marriage, the couple sold their homes in Marietta and moved to a new home in the Village of Deaton Creek, an active senior community which was under construction in Hall Co. The community has numerous tennis courts and competitive players who were friends and playing partners of Gordon several days each week.  The couple enjoyed frequent travel.  Gordon had been to every state and numerous foreign countries and Marie has also traveled to lots of foreign countries.  A travel highlight of 2011 was driving out to the Grand Canyon to enjoy vacation with other family members and hike the canyon.  In December of 2011, in preparation for heart valve repair, doctors discovered that Gordon had MDS cancer which he has been taking regular chemotherapy treatments.  Sadly, he had not played tennis since the onset of cancer and some other sports activities he enjoyed have also been curtailed.  Gordon and Marie are active members of Chestnut Mountain Presbyterian Church.  Survivors include wife, Marie Schmidt; sons Kenneth W. Schmidt of Acworth, Robert Blair Schmidt and wife Adina; granddaughters Megan and Rachel of Marietta; sister Velma Hadley and husband P.L. of KS; nephew Brian Hadley of CA and niece Janice Schmidt of CO.  Memorial services will be held 11:00 am Thursday, July 9, 2015 at Chestnut Mountain Presbyterian Church, 4675 Winder Highway, Flowery Branch, GA 30542.  The family will receive friends one hour prior to services at the church.  Pastor John Botusic will be officiating.  In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the church building fund.  Interment will follow 1:30 pm, Thursday, July 9, 2015 at Georgia National Cemetery, 2025 Mount Carmel Church Lane, Canton, GA, 30114. Funeral arrangements by Lawson Funeral Home, 4532 Hwy 53, Hoschton, GA, 30548, www.lawsonfuneralhome.org, 706-654-0966.