DONALD SCHMITT

Donald Holston

Schmitt

June 5, 1957 - June 4, 2009

Donald Holston Schmitt, 51 of Greenville, DE, passed away Thursday, June 4, 2009, surrounded by his loving family. During a year-long battle with a brain tumor, Don lived with hope and courage that inspired his many friends, family, and colleagues.

Don graduated from the University of Virginia McIntire School of Commerce in 1980 and earned his MBA from the Darden School of Business in 1984. He was a devoted "Wahoo." His career in loyalty marketing included work on frequent flyer and rewards programs for American Airlines, Northwest Airlines, Brierly & Partners in Dallas, and Bass Hotels and Resorts in Atlanta. In 1999, Don joined First USA to focus on the emerging business of credit card loyalty programs and provided leadership as the bank merged with Bank One and most recently with Chase. His development of customer focused business strategy and team leadership successfully integrated many programs and partnerships to help grow the loyalty program to be one of the largest business units for Chase Card Services. He was a member of the Lower Brandywine Presbyterian Church in Greenville. As a member of the Greenville Country Club, Don served on the membership committee and as captain of his fearsome tennis team.

Born June 5, 1957 in Washington, D.C., Don grew up in Arlington, VA and is survived by his wife of 29 years, Laura and their children, Sarah and Michael. An only child, he was predeceased by his mother and father, Beverly and Herman "Smitty" Schmitt and also his stepmother Lora Schmitt of Arlington, VA. He will be missed by his mother- and father-in-law, Martha and Robert Adams of Annandale, VA; brother- and sisters-in law, Jonathan and Lili Adams, and Janet Long and his nephews, Griffin, Russell, and Gordon also of Arlington and Annandale, VA.

The family wishes to thank the medical teams of Duke University, University of Pennsylvania; and Helen F. Graham Cancer Center and also extends their deep gratitude to all who have supported them with kindness, love, and prayers.

Friends may call on Wednesday, June 10, from 6-8 pm, at CHANDLER FUNERAL HOME, 2506 Concord Pike, Wilmington, DE. A memorial service will be held Thursday, June 11, at 11 am, at Lower Brandywine Presbyterian Church, 101 Old Kennett Road, Greenville, DE. Interment will be private in Virginia.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Kelly Heinz Grundner Brain Tumor Foundation, 300 Water Street, Suite 103, Wilmington, DE 19801 (www.khgfoundation.org), Lower Brandywine Presbyterian Church, or the Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation, 101 Rockland Circle, Wilmington, DE 19803 (www.bepositive.org).