Kim William Schmidt

Kim Schmidt died Thursday, August 28, 2014, at his home in Odessa, surrounded by his family after an eight-month battle with cancer. He was 56 years old.

Kim was born at Odessa Memorial Hospital December 20, 1957, to Bill and Wilma Schmidt of rural Odessa, the youngest of their four children.

He attended the Odessa schools, graduating from Odessa High in 1976. After high school, he worked with his father on their wheat farm, spending winters working construction in Alaska, operating a cotton gin and working in an oil field in Oklahoma and doing lodge maintenance and cleaning in Colorado. Steve Grub, a Lamona-area rancher, was also Kim’s part-time employer for a number of years.

Following the death of Kim’s father, the family sold the wheat farm, and Kim went to work for Tom Evavold of Lamona, a mutually beneficial relationship thatlasted more than 25 years, right up until Kim was diagnosed with Stage IV kidney cancer in November of 2013, when significant weight loss and general weakness made it impossible for him to continue working.

Kim was predeceased by his father Bill in 1992.

He is survived by his wife Marla at the home; his mother Wilma Schmidt of Odessa; son Derek William Schmidt of Spokane and grandson Gage William Schmidt; step-sons Joe Zigan (Jen) and daughters Kaydence and Savannah and Ron Zigan and children Jocelyn, Blake and Carter; sisters Terrie Schmidt-Crosby (Ed) and daughter Lauren; Debbie Cutter (John) and daughters Katie Porubek and Stacy Cutter; and Dori Zahler (Larry) and daughter Rebecca Arens and son Jeff Zahler.

Kim met his soul mate Marla in March of 1998. They spent 16 years together before tying the marriage knot in April of 2014.

With the help and support of his mother Wilma, Kim raised his son Derek as a single parent from the time Derek was three years old. They had a close and loving relationship.

All who knew Kim were struck by his good humor, joyful laugh and quick wit. Throughout his illness, those same personality traits remained with him. Even during his last hours, seeing family around him could bring a smile to his face.

A celebration of Kim’s life will be held September 27 (Saturday) at 11 a.m. at Heritage Church in Odessa. Carver Family Funeral Home in Moses Lake is handling arrangements.