Lester Leon Schmidt

A true outdoorsman who loved hunting, fishing, gardening and snow and water skiing best describes the life of Lester Leon Schmidt, 79 who passed away on Friday, January 27, 2017. He was born August 8, 1937 in Turon, KS to the late William and Ruth (Fanning) Schmidt. Les retired after 45 years with United Airlines (formerly Capital Airlines). He was married to his beloved wife Alice for 58 years. Les was a coin collector and an avid Panther fan. He and Alice bought two PSL’s and used them regularly throughout the football season. Les was very active at Christ United Methodist Church and received the Laity Service Award in 2010. He was affectionately known by his grandchildren as “GP”. He will be missed by all who knew and loved him.

Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Alice of Gastonia; three sons, Mitch Schmidt and wife, Luanne of Ft. Mill, SC, Scott Schmidt and wife, Wendy of Gastonia, NC and Andy Schmidt and companion Nichole Costner of Gastonia, NC; six grandchildren, Alex Schmidt and wife, Taraneh, Lauren Schmidt, Jarrett Schmidt, John Michael Schmidt, Virginia Schmidt and Noah Schmidt; brother, Jess Schmidt and wife, June of Swannanoa, NC; three other sister-in-law’s and several nieces and nephews.

A celebration of Les’s life will be held at 2:00 PM, Tuesday, January 31, 2017 at Christ United Methodist Church in Gastonia. Reverend Matt Morris will preside. Inurnment will be held at a later date at Evergreen Cemetery in Belmont.

The family will receive friends from 1:00 PM-2:00 PM prior to the service at the church.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Gaston County, P.O. Box 3984, Gastonia, NC 28054, Christ United Methodist Church, 3415 Union Road, Gastonia, NC 28056 or Alzheimer’s Disease Research, 22512 Gateway Center Drive, Clarksburg, MD 20871.

The family wishes to thank Gaston Hospice, Alexandria Place and all the caregivers who took such good care of Les.

Online condolences and fond memories may be made at: www.carothersfuneralhomegastonia.com;

Carothers Funeral Home at Gaston Memorial Park is honored to serve the Schmidt family.