Donald "Gene" Eugene Schmidt Jr.

Donald Eugene Schmidt

Donald "Gene" Schmidt, 34, died Dec. 31, 1996, in Highland, Ill., following a very short illness. Funeral services were Jan. 6, 1997, in Hosanna Christian Fellowship in Aurora, Colo. Burial was in the Lusk Cemetery. A memorial service is pending in Amarillo, Texas.

He was born Feb. 27, 1962, in Saitama Ken, Japan, at Yokota Air Base to Donald E. and Wanda M. (Brewer) Schmidt. He returned to the United States in March 1964. His education started at the Eastridge Elementary School in Amarillo, Texas, continuing at Torrington and two years at Caprock High School in Amarillo, finishing with completion of his GED in Amarillo.

He served two years with the U. S. Marine Corps. He completed a truck driving course in Oklahoma.

He had been an over-the-road truck driver for Pike's Trucking Carbonic Reserve of Amarillo and was driving for El Doado Carriers in Englewood, Colo., at the time of his death. He had also worked as a parts man for Baker Dodge, John Chancler Ford and Midway Chevrolet, all of Amarillo.

He was a Christian and member of Hosanna Christian Fellowship in Aurora, Colo. He married Donna Zimmer Oct. 1, 1995, in Amarillo.

Survivors include his wife of Lakewood, Colo.; daughter Nichole Marie Schmidt; mother of Amarillo; brother Joseph Schmidt and family of Amarillo; sister Carmen Nichols and family of Amarillo; maternal grandmother Dorothy Brewer of Torrington; uncle James Schmidt of Manassas, Va.; step-children Valerie Nicholoas and Sara Zimmer of Denver; ex-wife Janice Schmidt of Amarillo; step-sister Lynette Apoaca of Gillette; five nieces; five nephews; several aunts, uncles and cousins; and many friends. He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents Ova C. and Lawrence C. Burrell; his maternal grandfather Guy C. Brewer; and his father.

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