Tom and Betty Schmitt

Tom & Betty passed away on Oct. 13, 2025, joining their three sons: Tom Jr, Chris, & Buddy. They leave behind, their daughters: Mia (Ron), Angela (Roger), Theresa (Greg), & sons: Michael, & Vincent (April), their 9 grandchildren: Bonnie, Brian, Matthew, Autumn, Sean, Thomas, Sarah, Charlotte, & Cameron & their 6 great grandchildren: Caleb, Garland, Geraldine, McKenzie, Justice, & Archer. Obituary: Thomas Lee Schmitt Sr. Tom was born in Louisville, KY on October 30, 1931. He graduated from Male High School, class of 1950 & earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology/ Pre-Med, from the University of Louisville. In his 40’s, he returned to college & earned his 60 Hour MSSW & LCSW, from the Kent School of Social Work, while working at Central State Hospital. Upon graduation in 1973, he became the Director of Social Services at Hazelwood Hospital. He retired after 38 years of service in mental health & maintained a private practice as LCSW. He taught aviation in the adult evening classes at Atherton for 11 yrs. In his early years, he managed to realize his boyhood dream of becoming a “flyer” he said, not only a pilot. He soloed in the late 1940’s. It’s been said he could fly a plane, before he could drive a car! He flew all of his life & held instrument & commercial ratings, logging over 8,000 hours. He loved teaching the open-cockpit Stearman aircraft & was chief pilot for the American Aviation Academy. He was a USAF Veteran & flew with the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) over 60 years, logging over 400 missions for the US Dept. of Forestry Service, US Customs, Search & Rescue, etc. He was a member of 6 national aviation organizations, as well as the local Aero Club, Blue Lick Flying Club, Spencer Co. Air Board, American Legion Highland Post 201, & served as Lt Col with the CAP, serving as many years as the KY Wing’s Vice Commander. Tom always said that the beauty & wisdom of Betty was his inspiration to overcome life’s many challenges. They wed on Sept. 4th, 1954. To date, Louisville, KY’s heat record of 104dF on their wedding day, remains an unbroken record. In 1957 their 1st child was born & by 1969, 7 more would follow. Tom said of Betty, “My most profound life adventure was quietly exploring the many magical worlds of wonder with my beautiful & ever-fascinating Betty, whom I dearly loved.” Of his children he said, “Love for all eternity & thanks for letting me be your Dad.” Obituary: Betty Marie Childers Schmitt One of the most fascinating women passed away October 13, 2025. She was the one who turned all heads when she entered a room. In 1956, her distinct & melodious voice won a regional contest with radio station WAVE & while modeling for Alex Adams Agency she was classified as a “Sophisticated Exotic”. She starred in several plays at U of L’s Belknap Theatre & felt her talents might be professionally expanded. With Tom’s encouragement, she traveled to New York where she took it by storm & immediately won a contract with CBS to begin in “the soaps”, along with modeling for SAKS of 5th Ave., NY (story Courier Journal, 1956). After a short time, she decided this life was “too shallow” for her. Turning her back on assured success, she put her talents aside to take on the greatest role of all, she said, “to become a mother, living quietly with Tom & having a large family.” She said, “This was the real life success & all that I really ever wanted.” Betty was blessed with the gift of appearing decades younger than she was. While in her 40’s, she became an RN to support her family. She graduated in 1977, academically in the top of her class with straight A’s & scored highest on the State Nursing Board Exams. Betty’s intelligence far exceeded, even her striking beauty. As a Captain in the Civil Air Patrol, she gave several years volunteering as its Medical Officer. She was so beloved by her hospital patients that many waited until she came on duty for their needs. She refused promotions, so that she could remain with her patients on the floor where she said, “This is where it is, where I am needed & where I want to be.” After 17 years of “heavy duty” nursing, she finally closed her career with words from several physicians telling her, “Betty, you are a better physician than many of us.” For her little children, Betty provided child-like joy & magic. And for her adult children, discussions with their Mom were filled with adult realism & powerful insights—very analytical & very thought provoking. Regarding the injustices within society, she demanded change. Her guiding light & the thread woven throughout her life, was her faith. A devoted Catholic, she cherished Holy Communion & attended “Mass on the Air” every day. She always asked for our prayers, as she said, “God’s true path is not an easy one.”