Douglas Clinton Schmidt
10/2/1936 - 9/10/2025

Douglas C. Schmidt passed away on Sept. 10 2025. Doug was born in Gorgas Hospital, in the Panama Canal Zone, on Oct. 2, 1936. He was the son of John and Catherine “Kitty” Schmidt, both deceased. He graduated from Balboa High School in 1955, and the Canal Zone Junior College in 1957, with an Associate of Arts degree. He then completed training at The Sheffield School of Aeronautics and Kendall Flying School in Miami, Florida, where he obtained his FAA private, commercial licenses, and instrument rating. He later obtained his FAA Certified Flight Instructor’s certificate at The Acme School of Aviation in Fort Worth, Texas. He was always very proud of the many men and women who learned to fly under his instruction at the Albrook Aero Club.

He began his career with the Panama Canal Company in 1958 as a Water Systems Controlman, and worked at both the Miraflores and Mt. Hope filtration plans. In 1974, he transferred to the Engineering and Construction Director’s Office at Balboa Heights, and subsequently transferred to the Marine Director’s Office 1975. He retired from the Panama Canal Commission on Dec. 30, 1989, as Executive Assistant to the Marine Director. Since that date, he and his wife, Sharon (Booth), have made their home in Kerrville, Texas.

Doug was always an active and serious hunter, fisherman and lover of fine horses, and owned several registered horses, which he enjoyed riding them along the beautiful Guadalupe River.

Throughout his c career with the Canal, he was very active in the Pacific Civic Council, and served as its President for many years. He was appointed by Gov. David Parker to be the first Chairman of the Governor’s Advisory Committee on Education. He received an Honorary Public Service Award for his service to the Canal Zone community, and upon his retirement, was presented with the Commission’s Master Key, in the grade of “Master Community Spokesman” from the Commission’s Administrator.

Doug is survived by his wife, Sharon, who he married on April 6, 1963; his only daughter, Cheryl, her husband Kenneth Fritz and two beloved grandchildren, Catherine and Edmund Fritz; his sister, Jackie, and her husband Dale Bishop of Kerrville, Texas; his brother, John E. Schmidt Jr. of Tallahassee, Florida; and Sharon’s brother, Michael Booth, of Palm Springs, California. Doug had five wonderful nieces and three outstanding nephews.

Services will be at 2 p.m. Monday, Oct. 6, 2025, at Grimes Funeral Chapels.

Obituary Provided By:

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