John O. "Jack" Schmidt

1921 - 2010

John O. "Jack" Schmidt passed away this month just a few weeks before his 90th birthday. He had been a four-year resident of Sunrise Assisted Living of Hermosa Beach, where he died in hospice care. Born in 1921 in Terre Haute, IN, Jack moved by train to Los Angeles as a young boy with his mother, aunt and sisters. Jack met Gloria Schwartz at L.A. High School; they were married in 1941 and celebrated their 64th anniversary together. In September of 1943, Jack began work in Torrance at Pacific Smelting Co., where he became vice president of production and worked for 35 years. Jack was a WWII Army veteran having served as an infantry lineman in Belgium and Germany. Jack and Gloria raised their four children in Inglewood, where he was a Cub Scout Master, and PTA Honorary Life Member. They later settled in Torrance where he resided for the next 38 years. Jack was a well-known personality in the South Bay having worked and resided here, serving his community for over 67 years. He was president of Torrance Chamber of Commerce (1971) and received the 1974 Distinguished Citizen Award. He was president of Torrance Rotary (1958) and a member for over 50 years. Jack spent nine years on the Torrance Memorial Hospital Center Board of Trustees, serving as president for two years. Active on the Torrance YMCA board, he was also named a Lions Club "Man of the Year", and a Torrance Jaycees "Boss of the Year". He served on both county and municipal commissions, committees and taskforces. Jack was a major fundraiser and contributor to the Torrance YMCA, Torrance Memorial Community Hospital, Torrance Rotary Scholarship Fund, United Way, and Red Cross. Jack and his wife Gloria were an active couple who lived every day to the fullest, walking, bowling, dancing to Big Band music and traveling extensively during their 64 year marriage. Jack was a runner well into his senior years and ran the Olympic torch through Malibu as it made it's way toward the Los Angeles Coliseum in preparation for the start of the 1984 Games. When at home Jack took delight in stamp collecting and creating hundreds of stained glass art, lamps and windows, magnificent in every detail. Jack will be missed by his large family and is survived by his sons, John C. (JoAnn) Schmidt, Gary (Tami) Schmidt; daughter, Donna (Anthony) Bompas and daughter-in-law, Barbara Schmidt; 10 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his wife, Gloria and son, Bruce. A memorial service will be held on Thursday, January 6, at 1:00 p.m. at First Lutheran Church, 2900 W. Carson St., Torrance, CA 90503. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Jack's honor to the Alzheimer's Association or the Torrance Memorial Hospital Foundation. Please sign the guestbook at www.dailybreeze.com/obits.