Clifford F. Schmidt

Funeral services for Clifford F. Schmidt, 93, of Lufkin will be held Monday, January 27, 2025 at 1:00 p.m. at First Lutheran Church of Lufkin with Reverend Kenneth Bunge officiating. Interment will follow in the Sunset Memorial Park in Nacogdoches.

Mr. Schmidt passed away, surrounded by his wife and loving family, Thursday, January 23, 2025. He was born April 30, 1931 in Concrete, Texas. Several years later he moved to Yoakum, Texas along with his parents, Adolph and Alma, and younger sister Margaret, where he attended school and graduated from Yoakum High School. After graduation he accepted employment with Perry Brothers and moved to Bryan, Texas for retail training. In January 1951 he enlisted in the United States Navy and served for four years during the Korean Conflict. During this time he was stationed in Bainbridge, Maryland for two years. Then he spent two years aboard the USS Ault, a Sumner Class Destroyer, where he sailed around the world with stops in various ports along the way. Clifford was honorably discharged on October 27, 1954 at the rank of Yeoman Third Clas USN-1.

After serving his country he met his wife, Mattie, and married in June 1955 in Nacogdoches. Clifford once again accepted employment with Perry Bros. and spent the next 47 years in various locations, retiring in 1994 as Vice President in charge of store operations in Lufkin, where they have resided for 48 years. During retirement he spent time traveling, pursuing hobbies, going to casinos and spending time with family.

Survivors include his wife of 69 years, Mattie Schmidt of Lufkin; sons, Terry Schmidt of Lufkin, Wayne Schmidt and wife Sherry of LaGrange, David Schmidt and wife Shirley of Atascocita; daughter, Pam Ainsworth and husband Trey of Houston; grandchildren, Julie Cook and husband Jon, Jay Schmidt and wife Tracie, Kyle Schmidt and wife Lauren, Lauren Neal and husband Christian, Jessica McMinn and husband Josh, Thomas Ainsworth, Travis Ainsworth; eight great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Edith Simpson of Orange; niece, Melissa Helweg of Seguin; nephews, Mike Kolar of Horseshoe Bay, Texas, Mark Kolar of Highlands, North Carolina; and numerous other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and sister, Margaret Schmidt Kolar.

Pallbearers will be Travis Ainsworth, Thomas Ainsworth, Kyle Schmidt, Jay Schmidt, Gavin Cook, and Everett Cook.

Honorary pallbearers will be Jon Cook and Josh McMinn.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to First Lutheran Church of Lufkin, 1001 Atkinson Drive, Lufkin, Texas 75901.

The family would like to thank Heart to Heart Hospice and Visiting Angels of Lufkin for their loving care of Mr. Schmidt.

The family will welcome friends and loved ones from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Sunday evening at the funeral home.

Memories and condolences may be added at www.carrowayfuneralhome.com.

Carroway Funeral Home, Lufkin, directors.