Obituary of Reverend Raymond D. Schmidt

AGE: 85 • Mt. Lakes Reverend Raymond D. Schmidt, Retired Long-Time Pastor King of Kings Lutheran Church, Mt. Lakes passed from this earth on April 16, 2011 under the care of Compassionate Care Hospice. Ray was born on July 1, 1925, in Spencer, Iowa, to Edward and Rose Wassman Schmidt. He graduated from Concordia HS, St Paul, MN, and subsequently joined the US Army Infantry. During WWII, he was stationed in the South Pacific. Following his military duty, he graduated in 1950 from Concordia Theological Seminary in Springfield, IL, with a BA in Theology and was ordained into the ministry by the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod in 1951. While at Concordia, Ray was a star player on both the college basketball and golf teams. Ray later received a Masters of Religious Education in 1965 from Union Theological Seminary in NYC. His first call was as Pastor at University Hills Lutheran Church in Denver, Colorado.Ray was Pastor at King of King's Lutheran Church in Mountain Lakes, NJ, for over 25 years accepting a call in 1958 to relocate from Denver to Mountain Lakes. During his ministry, he greatly expanded the church body and its ministry, including adding music and education programs as well as expansion of the building to accommodate the large growth. He frequently led youth and family activities and outings, as the church was central to his adult life during his ministry. After receiving Certification as a Marriage and Family Counselor from Blatt & Peale Institute, NYC, in 1978, he became a pastoral counselor and opened The A.G.A.P.E. (Association for Growth and Personal Enrichment) Counseling Center for marriage and family counseling. He retired in 1997. He was predeceased by his first wife, Luella, and his brother, Donald. He is survived by his wife of 23 years, Kristine (Ottoson-Perry), his children, Philip of Phoenix, AZ, Sharon Schmidt-Sabo of San Diego, CA, and Steven of Rockaway, NJ, step-children Kristina Perry-Tedesco of Byram Township and Daniel Perry of Hopatcong, five grandchildren, Michael & David Sabo of San Diego and Rory, Gunnar and Darcy Schmidt of Phoenix, a step grand-daughter, Cheyanne Kowalski, and his sister, Dorothy Garrison of Palm Harbor, Florida. His love of life was in being active in his ministry, especially with youth programs, and with his family, in enjoying outdoor life, especially around golf, skiing, camping, time at the NJ shore and family travel vacations in new and foreign places. He will be remembered for his energetic love of life, remarkable sense of humor and spirit of adventure. Visitation will be held 3-5 and 7-9 pm on Tuesday, April 19th at the Tuttle Funeral Home, 272 rt 10, Randolph, NJ. The Funeral service will be held 11:00 am on Wednesday, April 20 at Trinity Lutheran Church, 123 Blackwell st, Dover, NJ. Please consider a donation in Ray's memory to Trinity Lutheran Church, 123 East Blackwell Street, Dover, NJ 07801 or Compassionate Care Hospice, 532 Lafayette Road, Sparta, NJ 07871.