Hugo C. Schmidt

Services for Hugo C. Schmidt, 76, of Tyler were held Oct. 17 at Lloyd James Funeral Chapel with Karn Schmidt officiating. Burial was in Cathedral in the Pines under direction of Lloyd James Funeral Home. He passed away on Saturday, Oct. 13, 2007 in Tyler.

He was born May 21, 1931 in Chicago, Ill., the seventh of eight children, to the late Adolph and Louise Zabinska Schmidt. He attended public schools in Chicago and graduated from Thomas Kelly High School in 1949, attended the University of Illinois Undergraduate Division, Navy Pier in Chicago from 1949-1951, the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana, Ill., from 1951-1953, where he obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Commerce Law in 1953. He attended the University of Illinois College of Law from January 1956-January 1958, where he obtained an LLB (later confirmed to J.D.). He was licensed to practice law in all courts in the State of Illinois, U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois.

He served in the United States Army as Army Ordnance Corporal from January 1954-January 1956, attended training in Fort Leonardwood, Mo., Aberdeen Proving Grounds, Maryland, Red River Arsenal, New Boston, Sandhfen, Germany (Coleman Barracks Ordnance Specialist), and received an Honorable Discharge as Specialist 4 in January 1956.

In 1960, he relocated to the state of Texas and passed the Bar Examination for practice in all state courts in the state of Texas, United States District Court, North-Eastern Division State of Texas and United States 5th Circuit Court of Appeals. From 1959-1969, he was employed in insurance claim work. He served as claims representative, claims supervisor, regional claims supervisor, reinsurance claims practice, up to management assistant general counsel, Transport Insurance Co. in Dallas. After organizing general regional claims division for Transport Insurance Company (a national specialized insurance carrier - providing coverage exclusively for National Motor Carriers), he set up claims operations for the states of Ohio, West Virginia and portions of Indiana, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Tennessee, as well as the provinces of Ontario and Quebec, Canada.

In 1969, he returned to general law practice with the firm of Saunders and Caldwell in Tyler. He became a general partner in 1970. He practiced general civil practice with specialization in insurance personal injury, property damage and products liability defense. His practice included not only standard automobile insurance defense, but also heavy transport motor carrier defense in most North East Texas counties. His practice later included alternate dispute resolution as practicing mediator. The law firm is presently Saunders, Schmidt, Echols, Ring and Heck in Tyler. He was a great man of integrity and held high standards for attorneys.

He also served as city attorney in Whitehouse, attorney for First National Bank of Whitehouse, president of Smith County Bar Association, sustaining member of the Texas Bar Foundation, trustee of Whitehouse Independent School District.

He spent the last 12 years enjoying retirement, building a home for his and BethAnne's joint families. They enjoyed traveling throughout the world and entertaining family and friends with his famous BBQ dinners.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Anita Jean Abbott Schmidt.

He is survived by his wife, BethAnne Pruett Schmidt of Whitehouse; son, Kevin Keith Schmidt and wife Cathy; three grandchildren, Sara Marie, Jason Charles and David Jean; daughter, Lisa Dawn Schmidt; stepson, Shaun Chandler and wife Karin; two stepgrandchildren, Amber Gail and Amanda; and stepson, James Matthew Pruett and adopted son, CeeCee.

Pallbearers were Jim Echols, Charles Ervin, Keith Schmidt, Paul Schmidt Jr., Jeff Schmidt and Michael Simonsen.

Honorary pallbearers were Richard Ring, Jeff Heck and Rick Wilbanks.

If desired, memorials may be made to Hospice of East Texas, 4111 University Blvd. Tyler, 75701.