Paul Edward Schmidt

1942 - 2021

Paul Edward Schmidt
Feb. 19, 1942 - Aug. 25, 2021
Resident of San Jose
Paul, 79, passed away in peace in San Jose on August 25, 2021. Born in Oakland, CA, Paul grew up in a tight-knit and loving family. After Oakland HS and Oakland City College, he moved to San Jose in 1961 to attend SJSU. He was hired by the SJ Police Department in 1964 and worked full time while finishing up his BA in Administration of Justice with a minor in Psychology. Paul was a lifelong member of Chi Pi Sigma, a law enforcement fraternity. He served in the Coast Guard reserve. He worked for the PD for 30 years and then as a reserve officer. He was honored in 1991 for his "skilled police work" on a case. He met his beloved wife Carol (Reedy) via a blind date in 1967 and they married 16 months later.
Paul had many activities and hobbies and was involved in many organizations—he grew up singing in choirs, camping, fishing and hiking with his family. He loved boating and water skiing. He cherished his 1965 Ford Mustang and later restored it to its original condition. He played adult soccer and then coached both his children's PAL soccer teams for 9 years, serving as Equipment Chairman, and winning the Coach of the Year award in 1982. He and Carol began attending Los Gatos Christian in 1978, raising their children in the Lord, and were involved in their Shepherding Group. In retirement, he enjoyed fishing, gardening, genealogy, travel, and serving on Boards of both the International Police Association and the Association of Retired San Jose Police Officers and Firefighters. He provided care for his parents and his in-laws. He will be remembered for his kindness, his laughter, and certainly, his practical jokes!
He is survived by his beloved wife of 53 years, Carol; son PJ (Jennifer) and daughter Karyn (Kurt Morrill); grandchildren Ben Schmidt, Samuel and Nathan Morrill; his brother David; as well as nephews, nieces, cousins, in-laws and dear lifelong friends.
He is preceded in death by parents Paul & Margaret (Viera) Schmidt and brother Larry.
A Celebration of Life service will be held Saturday, Sept 18th at 10:30 a.m. at Venture Christian Church in Los Gatos. The graveside service will be private. Please RSVP via themorrills@yahoo.com. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his honor to CurePSP, Progressive Sypranuclear Palsy (psp.org).


View the online memorial for Paul Edward Schmidt