Obituary of Alton Arno Schmidt, 2002; Baker Co., OR
Surnames: Schmidt, Wells, Morgan, Chandler, Sprague, Cox, White

************************************************************************
USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE:  These electronic pages may NOT be
reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other
organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use
this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor,
or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the
listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter
has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives
http://www.usgwarchives.net/ to store the file permanently for free
access and not to be removed separately without written permission.
************************************************************************
Transcribed and formatted for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
W. David Samuelsen - May 2002
************************************************************************
Permission granted by Baker City Herald, Baker City, Baker County, OR for text
copy to be deposited in the USGenWeb Archives.
http://www.bakercityherald.com
************************************************************************

Alton Schmidt 

Alton Arno Schmidt, 87, of Richland died Jan. 15, 2002 at St. Elizabeth Health
Services.  

At his request there will be no formal service. A memorial service to
celebrate his life will be scheduled in the spring when the wildflowers bloom
on the Bear (Bare) Walla (Waller) Hills. 

Alton, known as "Skip," "Skipper," "Alt" or "Smitty," was born June 7, 1914,
in Pine Valley. He was the only son of Louis and Maude Schmidt. He attended
school at Clear Creek and Pine Valley High School at Halfway. He was proud of
his "cradle roll" in the Presbyterian Church and used to sing and whistle
solos in both the Presbyterian and Christian churches of Halfway.  

If anyone would ask Alton what his occupation was, he would respond, "I'm just
a doodle dasher." This was surely a modest impression. His many lines of work
included ranching, furniture manufacturing, Boeing Aircraft construction,
heavy construction (Detroit Dam Powerhouse concrete foreman) and framing and
finish carpenter. 

A creative and imaginative problem solver, Alton never lacked for a project,
from making his small sister tea sets from clay mud while sheepherding, to
building his family a home from start to finish at West Linn. 

He loved gold mining, gardening, tinkering, singing and whistling. Alton found
happiness in the small humble pleasures of life, such as laughing or getting
somebody else to, with his quick wit. He enjoyed life and found beauty in
every day. 

His positive perspective saw him manage being disabled since 1982 when he
punctured his spinal cord in an arthritic neck. This began limiting his
mobility until in later years he was in a wheelchair full time. In all that
time, he never lost his positive outlook and would still cook for his daughter
so her "day wouldn't seem so long." 

His family made this tribute to him: "Thank you, Papa, for all the caring,
sharing and love." 

Alton was a loving husband and supportive, teaching parent. 

Survivors include his wife, Norma Jean of Portland; his sisters, Edrie Wells
of Halfway and Louise Morgan of West Linn; his daughter, Laina Kay Chandler of
Richland; grandchildren, Joshua and Jeremiah Sprague and Troy Schmidt;
great-grandson, Landon Sprague; and numerous other extended family. 

He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Wilma Cox; a son, Larry
Alton Schmidt; a niece, Naomi White; and a nephew, Patrick Wells. 

Memorial contributions may be made to the Richland Ambulance through Coles
Funeral Home, 1950 Place St., Baker City, OR 97814.