Charles Allen Schmidt

Charles Allen Schmidt, 76, of Fayetteville, bid farewell to his wife Pat and to his treasured Ticker Tape Farm on Tuesday, June 30, 2015, leaving his earthly life to be with his heavenly Father following 16 months of fighting GBM brain cancer. Charles was born in Houston on Jan. 1, 1939, the only child of Charles Solomon and Lucille Elaine (Harris) Schmidt. He fell in love and married Patricia Ellisor on Oct. 15, 1966 in Houston. Baptized as an infant in the Methodist Church, he was an active member in the La Grange United Methodist Church with participation in the Challengers Sunday School Class, the United Methodist Men, and the Pastor’s Bible Study as well as several committees. At the time he became ill, he was the church Treasurer. Certainly he will be long remembered most for his liturgy presentations and his narrations for the Adult Chancel Choir’s cantatas. Charles was an OTC/Equity securities trader for several brokerage firms. He culminated his career in 1997 working for Jefferies & Co., and was alw ays highly respected for his integrity. He was one of the founding partners of First of Texas, Inc., in Houston in the late 1960’s; one of the founding partners of Preston Securities in Dallas in the mid 1980’s; President of the Houston Security Dealers Association in 1969; and President of the Dallas Security Dealers Association in 1984. Charles had unique abilities to understand all the aspects of the stock markets and continued applying his expertise in handling his own accounts after retirement. Charles loved life and he loved people … especially those that would talk with him. He always cared about others and put their needs above his. He is commonly described as a person who had a big heart. He was involved at one time with Boy Scouts of America, Indian Princesses, Habitat for Humanity, the local Republican organizations and numerous other volunteer opportunities. His best days were spent with his grandchildren, Cate and Charlie. He also loved working on his tractor improving the pastures. There were many enjoyable hours at his bay home and fishing on Galveston Bay. He was a voracious reader and especially loved books about European history. It was not uncommon for him to have several books going at one time. He is survived by the love of his life for 49 years, his wife, Patricia (Ellisor) Schmidt; son, Charles Thomas Schmidt and wife, Kelly Battle; daughter, Natalie Dawn Taylor and husband, Greg Taylor; older son, Charles Michael Schmidt; two grandchildren: Charles Battle Schmidt and Catherine Jane Schmidt; brother and sister-in law, Ron and LaVonne Ellisor; two cousins: Lanita Shepard and Margie Ann Crawford. He was preceded in death by his parents; father and mother-in-law: Capt. H. L. and Jane Ellisor; and half-sister, Iris Schmidt Williams and husband, Fred Williams. Visitation was held on Sunday, July 5, 2015 from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Koenig & Strickland Funeral Home in La Grange. Family will receive friends from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Funeral Services were held at First United Methodist Church in La Grange at 10 a.m. on Monday, July 6, 2015, followed by a reception. An internment service was held that afternoon at 3:30 p.m. at Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery, 6900 Lawndale, in Houston. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to First United Methodist Church, Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 89, La Grange, Texas 78945 or to the charity of your choosing. The family would like to thank all of the many people who supported and prayed for Charles during his illness. Special recognition is extended to Dr. Yvonne Kew, M.D., PhD; Mrs. Chenna Rimes and Donnie Wunderlich for their loving, dedicated care. Family and friends can view and sign the guestbook online at www.lagrangefunerals.com. Koenig & Strickland Funeral Home in La Grange was in charge of arrangements.