Karl Thomas Schmidt

Karl Thomas Schmidt, 65, of Astoria, died Monday, April 2, 2012, at home in Svensen.

He was born July 6, 1946, in Aberdeen, Wash., to Robert M. and Helen L. (Scanlon) Schmidt.

In 1964, he graduated from Aberdeen Weatherwax High School.

From 1962 to 1964, he was in the U.S. Navy Reserve. He then served in the Navy from 1964 to 1968, and went back to the Reserve from 1968 to 1970.

After his military service, he attended some classes at Grays Harbor (Wash.) Community College.

He was married to Esther Marie Long from 1969 to 1973.

Mr. Schmidt spent most of his working career in the seafood industry. For the last 19 years, he was the supervisor at Washington Crab Producers. He moved to Svensen to be with family in October 2011.

Family members said he considered his co-workers at Washington Crab to be a part of his extended family. He enjoyed spending time with them and neighbors at barbecues and work gatherings, especially on the Fourth of July. He also enjoyed his boat and the outdoors with friends and family at the Wynoochee Dam. He would never be on the boat without Henry, the basset hound, sitting in his back seat. Another one of his favorite things to do was tinker in his garage.

He is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Richard and Jennifer Long of Svensen; a daughter, Michelle Mills of Spokane, Wash.; three grandchildren, Ethan Long of Svensen and Braden and Blake Mills of Spokane; two brothers and sisters-in-law and their families, David and Linda Schmidt of San Antonio, Texas, and Ted and Helen Schmidt of Abbotsford, British Columbia; a sister and brother-in-law, Pat and Dwayne Phillips and their family; and several nieces and nephews and other family members.

He was preceded in death by a sister, Lynn King; and two brothers, Bob and Rick Schmidt.

A celebration of life will be held in Aberdeen at a later date.

Caldwell’s Luce-Layton Mortuary in Astoria is in charge of the arrangements. An online guest book can be signed at www.caldwellsmortuary.com