Obituary for Thomas Harlow Schmidt
Thomas Harlow Schmidt, age 83, son of Marguerite and Harlow Schmidt, was born in Shorewood, Wisconsin on July 21, 1938. He passed away peacefully on January 23, 2022, at his home in Spring Hill, Kansas with his family by his side. A Celebration of Life is scheduled for Sunday, January 30, 2022 at the Spring Hill Community Center, 613 S Race Street from 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Memories will be shared at 2:00 p.m. Buffet dinner will be served. Please join us in sharing stories and good times with family and friends. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Deanna Rose Farmstead in Tom’s name at https://artsandrec-op.org/farmstead/friends-of-the-farmstead/. Condolences may be left at www.brucefuneralhome
His childhood memories were firmly planted in Lexington, Nebraska where he met his lifelong best friend Keith Carpenter in kindergarten. He spent many happy times with his maternal Grandpa and Grandma Trost – whose picture he kept by his bedside in his last few days. He graduated from high school in York, Nebraska where he met another lifelong friend, Don Trimm. Don preceded him in death in 2011.
His career passion was law enforcement. He began his career working for the police department in the small town of York, Nebraska in the early 1960’s. After moving to the Kansas City area, his first job was with the Johnson County Sheriff’s Department. He worked for the City of Olathe and City of Merriam Police Departments. While working in Merriam, he met his wife Connie and they were married on January 29, 1976. Tom retired from the Spring Hill Police Department in 1992 after 30 years in law enforcement. It is fitting that he began his police career in a small town and ended it in Spring Hill. He loved the small town of Spring Hill and being able to provide that community policing that he so enjoyed. He encountered many life and death scenarios through his years as a police officer, but the one that was the hardest occurred in 1988 when a young 6 year boy was hit by a car and killed on Webster Street. Tom was first on the scene and did CPR until Med-Act arrived. He received letters of commendation from Johnson County Med-Act and Spring Hill Fire Department for his actions in maintaining life support.
His retirement years were filled by creating wonderful memories with his grandchildren and enjoying living on 5 acres out in the country near Spring Hill. To remember Tom is to remember all of the animals he loved in his lifetime. From numerous dogs (which were members of our family) – to all of the other little creatures that he either wanted to raise or that he rescued along the way. God must have known where to place the little animals that were in need – because Tom always seemed to find them. He was well known at the local Casey’s store for bringing the dogs to town daily for a doughnut. Then he acquired a dwarf miniature horse named Minnie – she rode to town in the front seat of the pickup truck on his daily trips to Casey’s. Tom and his sidekick Minnie became a favorite attraction at the Royal Terrace Rehab Center in Olathe. They made many appearances there to share Minnie with the residents.
He was a great man - loving husband, father, brother, Papa, Great Grandpapa and friend who was known for his love of storytelling. He enjoyed taking the grandchildren back and forth to school where he shared silly stories with them all along the way. Those memories are forever cherished by the now grown grandchildren. He cherished his time with his two best friends, Don Trimm and Keith Carpenter. Trips together – each one bringing with it a unique forever memory. His life was full – his work was his passion and he was blessed with a loving family and friends who will miss him every day.
He is survived by his wife of almost 46 years, Connie, of the home and sons – Mark Thomas and wife Donna; Roy Allen and Lisa; and John Wesley and wife Kristie. One daughter, Angela Renee, preceded him in death in 2013. His grandchildren were his entire world – he referred to them as the “Magnificent Seven” (his favorite movie) – Laurol Kylie Overlease and husband Aaron; Johnny Lee Thomas Schmidt; Joseph Quintin Melvin; Jacob Thomas Melvin; Luke Gerard Melvin; Jillian Coleen Schmidt; and Xander Gage Schmidt. He was blessed to hold two great grandchildren – Reid Overlease and Joeleigh Mae Schmidt. He also leaves behind his lifelong best friend of 78 years, Keith Carpenter and wife Eileen. He was preceded in death by his parents and his only sibling – his younger brother Gary.
Arrangements: Bruce Funeral Home, 712 S. Webster, Spring Hill, Kansas 66083 (913)592-2244.
His childhood memories were firmly planted in Lexington, Nebraska where he met his lifelong best friend Keith Carpenter in kindergarten. He spent many happy times with his maternal Grandpa and Grandma Trost – whose picture he kept by his bedside in his last few days. He graduated from high school in York, Nebraska where he met another lifelong friend, Don Trimm. Don preceded him in death in 2011.
His career passion was law enforcement. He began his career working for the police department in the small town of York, Nebraska in the early 1960’s. After moving to the Kansas City area, his first job was with the Johnson County Sheriff’s Department. He worked for the City of Olathe and City of Merriam Police Departments. While working in Merriam, he met his wife Connie and they were married on January 29, 1976. Tom retired from the Spring Hill Police Department in 1992 after 30 years in law enforcement. It is fitting that he began his police career in a small town and ended it in Spring Hill. He loved the small town of Spring Hill and being able to provide that community policing that he so enjoyed. He encountered many life and death scenarios through his years as a police officer, but the one that was the hardest occurred in 1988 when a young 6 year boy was hit by a car and killed on Webster Street. Tom was first on the scene and did CPR until Med-Act arrived. He received letters of commendation from Johnson County Med-Act and Spring Hill Fire Department for his actions in maintaining life support.
His retirement years were filled by creating wonderful memories with his grandchildren and enjoying living on 5 acres out in the country near Spring Hill. To remember Tom is to remember all of the animals he loved in his lifetime. From numerous dogs (which were members of our family) – to all of the other little creatures that he either wanted to raise or that he rescued along the way. God must have known where to place the little animals that were in need – because Tom always seemed to find them. He was well known at the local Casey’s store for bringing the dogs to town daily for a doughnut. Then he acquired a dwarf miniature horse named Minnie – she rode to town in the front seat of the pickup truck on his daily trips to Casey’s. Tom and his sidekick Minnie became a favorite attraction at the Royal Terrace Rehab Center in Olathe. They made many appearances there to share Minnie with the residents.
He was a great man - loving husband, father, brother, Papa, Great Grandpapa and friend who was known for his love of storytelling. He enjoyed taking the grandchildren back and forth to school where he shared silly stories with them all along the way. Those memories are forever cherished by the now grown grandchildren. He cherished his time with his two best friends, Don Trimm and Keith Carpenter. Trips together – each one bringing with it a unique forever memory. His life was full – his work was his passion and he was blessed with a loving family and friends who will miss him every day.
He is survived by his wife of almost 46 years, Connie, of the home and sons – Mark Thomas and wife Donna; Roy Allen and Lisa; and John Wesley and wife Kristie. One daughter, Angela Renee, preceded him in death in 2013. His grandchildren were his entire world – he referred to them as the “Magnificent Seven” (his favorite movie) – Laurol Kylie Overlease and husband Aaron; Johnny Lee Thomas Schmidt; Joseph Quintin Melvin; Jacob Thomas Melvin; Luke Gerard Melvin; Jillian Coleen Schmidt; and Xander Gage Schmidt. He was blessed to hold two great grandchildren – Reid Overlease and Joeleigh Mae Schmidt. He also leaves behind his lifelong best friend of 78 years, Keith Carpenter and wife Eileen. He was preceded in death by his parents and his only sibling – his younger brother Gary.
Arrangements: Bruce Funeral Home, 712 S. Webster, Spring Hill, Kansas 66083 (913)592-2244.