Vernon Ray Schmidt of Wilburton, Oklahoma, died Thursday, November 7, 2024, at his home. He was born on a small farm on October 15, 1940, in Montezuma, Kansas, to the late Clifford P. Schmidt and Dessie (Kehon) Schmidt. He was 84 years old. He was preceded in death by his parents; three sisters, baby Margie, Berdena and Ann; and a brother, Clayton Schmidt.

Vernon was a great christian man, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He dearly loved his family and extended family very much. His grandchildren and great-grandchildren made him feel like a grownup kid himself. He enjoyed being with them all during the holidays, family gatherings, birthday parties, and cookouts. He loved gatherings at the Mountainburg Park and the kids houses. Vernon never met a stranger and he had a kind heart. He would try to help anyone in need no matter how busy he was.

Vernon and Linda were united in marriage on January 24, 1987, in Wichita, Kansas. He considered Linda's children his own and they were held dear to his heart. Vernon was the oldest of seven children. He worked at a meat packing plant, 12 years in Kansas installing irrigation nozzles on irrigation units for Kansas farmers. He loved working on a 1,200 acre ranch near Chester, Arkansas, in the mid 1990's clearing land and being a ranch foreman over several hundred cattle. He milked cows for farmers in western Kansas for 10 years and was also a mechanic at Larry's Conoco in Van Buren, Arkansas. Vernon loved deer hunting, fishing, doing all kinds of crafts, even fine jewelry that was sold at Artist Point Gift Shop and around the world. He loved bowling and working on classic vehicles. He will be missed by everyone who knew him.

A family-held memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, November 16th at Wilburton First Baptist Church. Burial will take place at a later date at Massena Center Cemetery in Massena, Iowa.

He is survived by his wife of almost 38 years, Linda Kay Karstens-Schmidt; his children, Chad Schmidt of Burdett, Kansas, Shannon Schmidt and wife Mary of Rogers, Arkansas, Dusty Schmidt and wife Angel of Gateway, Arkansas, Paul Karstens and wife Dena of Wilburton, John Karstens and wife Pamela of Greenwood, Arkansas, Libbie Landbeck and husband David of Burdett, Kansas, and Lisa Vermillion and husband Dennis of Wister, Oklahoma; a sister, Mary Koehn and husband Jerry of Scooba, Mississippi; two brothers, Wilford Schmidt and wife Diane of Cimarron, Kansas, and Manford Schmidt of Plano, Texas; (21) grandchildren; (19) great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Cremation services are under the direction of Brotherton Brothers Cremation Services in Fort Smith, 914 N. 32nd St. Fort Smith, AR  72903. (479) 434-3901 or (479) 965-8202

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Schmidt Family Fund, 303 W. Blair Ave. Wilburton, OK  74578.

To place an online tribute, please visit www.brothertonbrothersfuneralhomes.com.