Thomas (Tom) Mathias Schmit

October 13, 1929 – February 1, 2024 - Thomas (Tom) Mathias Schmit passed away peacefully at home on February 1, 2024. Tom was born on October 13, 1929, in Salem, South Dakota, to parents Mathias (Matt) and Margaret Schmit. When Tom was a teenager, the family relocated to Seattle, Washington, where Tom graduated from Garfield High School and the University of Washington, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Accounting. Directly after college he served two years in the United States Army as a Corporal where he taught marksmanship. He then went on to begin his long financial career as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) as a member of the Internal Audit team at Arthur Andersen in Seattle.

He met Sheila Nixon on a blind date, and the two were married on July 20, 1957. They started their married life raising a family in Seattle, living in two houses that Tom designed and built with his father near Lake Washington. They relocated to Lake Oswego, Oregon, in 1970 when Tom was promoted to Partner at the Arthur Andersen’s Portland Offices. After several years in his Partner role, Tom left to become the Chief Financial Officer at Hampton Lumber from where he eventually retired.

Tom was active in his community and in his church. He served on the Mountain Park Board of Directors, coached several of his children’s sports teams, and was active with Lake Oswego Community Theater/Lakewood Center for the Arts. He was named the Northwest Horse Council’s “Father of the Year” in 1984.

Tom attended Daily mass, was head usher at St. Mary’s Cathedral for many years, he maintained the candles at Our Lady of the Lake Church, and he provided transportation services and visitation services to parishioners for several years.

Tom was an avid wood worker, handyman, vegetable gardener and swam almost every day at the Mountain Park Rec Center pool. He competed in the Poker World Series in Las Vegas on two occasions. You could often find him in his workshop at the saw, making many pieces of furniture, art, toys, and objects from wood for family and friends. He enjoyed puzzles of all kinds including jigsaw puzzles, Sudoku, and Nerdle. He enjoyed feeding and caring for the wildlife that resided near his home including the squirrels, rabbits, birds, and deer.

Tom was a regular at several establishments in town including Zupan’s and New Seasons making friends and an impression wherever he went. He was known for his “great head of hair”. He was generous in buying treats and pastries for the many people he cared for. We always looked forward to doughnut day.

Tom will be remembered for his love of his family, his generosity, his support of his children and grandchildren’s various pursuits (theater, musical concerts, horse shows, and sports), his woodworking skills, his ability to repair or build almost anything, his energetic dancing at wedding receptions, his cooking talents at the barbeque, and his positive outlook on life: “Everyday is a good day.”

Tom is preceded in death by his wife, Sheila; his parents; and his sister Shirley Jarnig. He is survived by his children Todd (Kristi), Troy (Beth), Tad (Parker), and Jill Charboneau (John); His nephew Gordon Jarnig; his grandchildren Stephanie, Father Frederick/Tyler, Thomas, Libby, Emily, Logan, Braeden, and Cassidy; and his great-grandchildren Augustine, Cosette, Agatha, Damian, and Magdalene.

A funeral mass was held at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church in Lake Oswego on February 24, 2024.