Gregory Joseph Schmitt

Gregory Joseph Schmitt of Medina, TX, died July 6, 2024 at home surrounded by his loving family.
Greg was born January 15, 1946, in Queens, NY, to Joseph Adam and Camilla Belle Schmitt (née Holt). His brother David and sister Camilla Marie joined the family over the next four years. After the family moved to Texas in 1952, Greg spent his childhood playing with David and Camilla in the woods and bayous of Houston and surrounding areas. He graduated from Channelview High School, where he played linebacker on the football team and had many good friends.
In 1965 at the age of 19, Greg enlisted in the US Navy, following in the footsteps of his mother and father, who both served in the Navy during World War II. He served from 1965-1971 and attained the rank of Petty Officer 2nd Class. As part of this service, Greg did two tours of duty in Vietnam with the “Brown Water Navy” on the Cua Viet River and in Danang; he earned three Bronze Stars, two National Defense Service Medals, a Navy Unit Commendation Ribbon, and a Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.
After Greg’s honorable discharge in 1971, he earned a degree from the University of Houston in Hotel and Restaurant Management. He then accepted a position in management at the Hyatt Regency in Boston. Greg met the love of his life Judith Van Demark at the Hyatt where they both worked, and they married on July 16, 1978. After honeymooning in Nantucket they moved to Houston to begin their life together.
Among many things, Greg was an expert marksman, hunter, sailor, teacher, gardener, and lover of nature and animals. He and Judy shared a special fondness for dogs and raised several generations of Labrador Retrievers. They also loved sailing in the Gulf of Mexico as well as spending time with family at their vacation home on Lake Livingston, hunting and fishing, cooking, reading, puttering, and laughing. In 2006, after living many years in Houston, Greg retired from his job teaching middle school English with HISD and moved with Judy to the Texas Hill Country. He was a great teacher, not only smart but generous with his time and compassionate to all.
His sister says, “Everyone who met the guy loved him immediately.”
In addition to being a warm and loving husband, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend, Greg had a dry and witty sense of humor and was always wise counsel when asked to weigh in on a problem. He had perspective and approached life with calm courage, which was never more evident than during his 13-year battle with successive bouts of cancer.

 He is survived by his loving wife Judy Schmitt, sister Camilla Crone and nieces and nephews Emily Romund, Alana Romund, Don Bray and wife Denise, Sue Regan and husband John, Lori Wall and husband Chris; great-nieces and nephews Mike Regan, wife Jennifer and great-great niece Addison, Stephanie Regan and wife Whitney Planas, Devin Bray and fiancé Matt Cordonier, Dixen Van Pelt and husband Bobby, Megan Mascillaro and husband Vinny, and Sami Wall and fiancé Franco Galasso; cousins Carole Holt, Deborah Rediger Khan and husband David, John Rediger, Gail Adams and husband Roger, Michael Reynolds, Mary Winter, Linda Richmond, and David Jelks; He is also survived by his devoted dog, Ozzie.
Greg was preceded in death by his beloved brother David Francis Schmitt, mother Camilla Belle Dillon, father Joseph Adam Schmitt, and his dogs Gustav, Crystal, Bridget, Carlson, Luther, Abby, Chloe, and Pearl.
Our grief upon losing him is nearly unbearable. We know he is with us always.
“I’m glad you’re inside, I’m out tracking a 500-pound wild hog, I’ll be back soon.”

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