JAMES CRAIG SCHMIDT

SCHMIDT, JAMES CRAIG James Craig Schmidt, 85, died of cancer of the bile duct at home, surrounded by his family. Born September 27, 1927, in Peoria, Illinois, to Walter and Clara Schmidt, the family moved to Kewanee, Illinois, where Jim graduated from high school before enlisting in the U.S. Navy. He attended Illinois Wesleyan University, University of Illinois and De Paul University Law School, and was a member of the California and Illinois State bars. Jim moved to San Diego in 1958, married Jerrie Bond, and began his career in the savings and loan Industry. He was legal counsel and senior vice president with Home Federal Savings & Loan before joining San Diego Federal as executive vice president-managing officer. The company later became Great American Savings Bank. Before Jim retired as president in 1989, the bank consisted of 238 offices in California, Arizona, Washington, Montana and Colorado, and controlled $15 billion in assets. Jim contributed much of his career success to Dale Carnegie's principles of How To Win Friends and Influence People. He is well known and respected in the business and civic communities, and will be remembered for his friendliness and for never forgetting a face or name. Jim was assistant secretary for Business and Transportation under Governor Ronald Reagan in 1967, serving several years in Sacramento. He later received an appointment from Governor Reagan to the California Toll Bridge Authority and served on the California State Transportation Board. He has been involved in local transportation issues for years and was instrumental in getting the tolls removed from the Coronado Bridge. His professional affiliations and community service included chairman of the California League of Savings Institutions; United States League of Savings Institutions chairman, chair of their Federal Home Loan Bank Executive Committee; and president of the Conference of Federal Savings and Loan Association. He was currently a member of The Catfish Club, Lincoln Club, Olde Boys Club, Grossmont-Mt Helix Improvement Association, Illini Club of San Diego, Sigma Chi Alumni Chapter, Lambda Alpha Land Use Fraternity, and San Diego Housing Federation. Jim's numerous awards included, among others, California Federation of Black Leadership Certificate of Merit and the American League of Financial Associations Award for Devoted and Invaluable Services. He received the Black Business Association award for Outstanding Support and Promotion of Business in the Black Communities. The City of San Diego established a "James C. Schmidt Day" in 2000 for his service and dedication to the City. He received the California Building Industry Hall of Fame Award, the San Diego Urban League's Equal Opportunity Award, and Business Advocate of the Year Award from San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce. Lambda Alpha International San Diego honored him with their Crystal Globe Award, and from Sigma Chi Fraternity he received the 1981 Significant Sig Award. Being an avid sports fan, he attended every Chargers game since they first played here in 1961. He helped launch the first Holiday Bowl in San Diego in 1978 and served as a past president/chairman of the 1987 game. He was a director emeritus of the San Diego Sports Council/Hall of Champions. As a guest commentator for the Daily Transcript, Jim has written monthly articles since 2004, with articles covering a wide range of topics, including sports, transportation, housing, real estate, desalination and Grand Jury reports, helping to educate readers and document San Diego history. Jim leaves Jerrie, his wife of 54 years, and three daughters: Sandy Crow of Del Mar, Julie Schmidt of San Diego, and Suzanne Lathrop of Kirkland, WA. He also leaves two grandchildren, Michelle and Spencer Crow, and a sister, Marilee White, of Seattle. A celebration of Jim's life will be held at the Hall of Champions in Balboa Park on Thursday, January 31, at 3:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to San Diego Hospice or a charity of your choice.