Ronald Carl Schmidt 6-15-1936 - 10-7-2023
Ron passed away on Saturday October 7, 2023, in Jacksonville, Florida, at the age of 87. He was loved by everyone he ever met and touched many lives. He was a loving son to John and Alta (Clapp) Schmidt. He married Doreen (Steward) Schmidt on April 12, 1958, and was a loving husband for 65 years.
After serving in the Army during the Korean War, he started his career in Chicago working for B. Schwartz Company, the first company that imported meat from New Zealand and Australia. He then opened his own meat brokerage company in Chicago with his best friends Bill Thilmany and Hal Siek as his partners. He then moved to Rome, Georgia where he continued to work in the meat industry until he started Omni Freight Brokers. He ultimately moved to Jacksonville, Florida where Omni has been thriving for 40 years.
He loved his family, friends, the Cubs, football, cruises and GOLF. His sense of humor and big heart will be greatly missed.
Ron leaves behind his loving wife of 65 years Doreen Schmidt. Pre-deceased by eldest daughter, Cheryl Lynn Schmidt, in January 2022. Loving father to Linda (Robert) Polacek, Julie Cook, Barbara (Allen) Jones. Loving Grandpa to Scott (Rachel) Polacek, Kurtis (Amanda) Polacek, Kevin (Murrella) Polacek, Corey (Stefi) Jones, Kelly (Carter) Polacek, Ryan Polacek, Robert Cook. Loving great grandpa to Wesley and Evangeline Polacek. Survived by his sisters Darleen Eaves and Jean Parziale.
In lieu of flowers the family requests those who wish to express sympathy to consider making a donation to:
Secure.jhu.edu/form/myositis in Ronald Schmidt’s name to help find a cure for Inclusion Body Myositis, the disease Ron suffered from. Donations can also be mailed to
The John Hopkins Myositis
Central Development Office Mason F. Lord Building
Center Tower Suite 358, 5200 Eastern Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21224
Visitation will be Saturday, October 14, 203, at Ponte Vedra Valley, 4750 Palm Valley Road, from 10-11 am followed by a service and burial.
