William Schmidt

Retired salesman William Thomas "Tom" Schmidt, 81, died of natural causes Monday, May 2, 2016, at Vanderbilt University Health Center in Nashville. A memorial service is set for 10 a.m., May 6, 2016, at Grace Episcopal Church.A Hopkinsville native, he was born April 25, 1935, the son of the late William A. "Bill" Schmidt and Lura Elizabeth Cannon Schmidt, at 919 Stanley St. His family owned and operated Jordan Furniture Company where he "grew up" in the furniture company business. He graduated from Hopkinsville High School in 1953 and attended Culver Summer Naval School for two years. He attended the University of Kentucky and received a Bachelor's degree from Stetson University in Deland, FL in 1958.Upon returning home, he worked in the family business as Vice President until Jordan's was destroyed by fire and ultimately sold upon the retirement of his father. He then became owner and operator of the Clothes Closet, a women's apparel store, from 1975 to 1980. He was an active member of Elks Club Lodge #0450, past State Director of the Jaycees, and past president of the Hopkinsville Merchants Association. He also served as a Director for the Hopkinsville-Christian County Chamber of Commerce.Schmidt moved to Daytona Beach, FL in 1982 where he continued in his father's footsteps in the furniture industry. He retired to Hopkinsville in 2008 where he has been an active member of the community, serving as Treasurer at Grace Episcopal Kindergarten, and vestry member, Lay Eucharist Minister, and Senior Warden at Grace Episcopal Church.Schmidt had several passions that kept him busy over the years. He was an avid golfer, having played competitively at Hopkinsville Country Club, where he was a member. He loved spending time with his grandchildren and having coffee each week with life-long friends. He would take on any challenger in a game of gin, preferably while eating cashews and Russell Stover candies. He turned to Junior Mints and Malted Milk Balls when he pursued one of his greatest passions, watching classic movies where he could name every actor and the date the movie was made. He could be counted on to be a reliable pet sitter, and he leaves behind his own beloved dog, Sophie. He was a loyal fan of Kentucky Basketball. And as long as he lived in Hopkinsville, he rarely missed breakfast at Ferrell's.Survivors include four daughters, Beth Schmidt, Tulsa, OK; Mary Thom Vandercook, Nashville, TN; Pam Schmidt Dossett and Nelson Dossett, Hopkinsville; and Sara Schmidt Cummins, Louisville; and six grandchildren, Samuel and Nora Cummins and Lucy, Ellie, Abby and Mandy Dossett.In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Grace Episcopal Kindergarten.