Theodore Mason Schmidt

Theodore “Ted” Mason Schmidt passed away on January 3, 2020. Ted was born March 11, 1936 in Kansas City, MO to Carl H. and Irvine R. Schmidt. The family moved to Fernandina Beach FL when Ted was 4, where his brothers Steve and Jim were born. Ted grew up loving Fernandina and was active in the Fernandina Beach High School graduating Class of 1953. Ted attended Georgia Tech and joined the US Coast Guard in 1958. Ted met Kate Bendiksen, the love of his life, while stationed in the north of Norway, married her and returned to the US where they raised their family. Ted and Kate had 59 wonderful years together with their son Jan Schmidt, his wife Sheryl and grandchildren Logan and Chandler (Ted’s pride and joy), and their daughter Kathy Schmidt and her partner Paula. Ted had an extensive career with 25 years at IBM in Manassas VA and Burlington VT, 12 years at Reliability Inc. in Durham NC and 5 years as a greeter at Walmart in Mebane NC, a job he thoroughly enjoyed. Ted was also a proud member of the Coast Guard Auxiliary, Flotilla 054/09/09. A brief graveside service will be held at Mebane Memorial Gardens at 11:00AM on Saturday January 11, 2020. The Coast Guard Auxiliary will be performing the flag presentation at the service.