Harry Eugene Schmid

In Loving Memory
Harry Eugene Schmid – “Captain Smitty” - “Prez Schmid”
Harry was peacefully reunited with his bride Elizabeth in eternity from his home in Tucker, Ga on Wednesday August 28, 2019 at the age of 94.
Harry’s mind stayed sharp and strong. The day of his passing, he had visited the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Atlanta Temple and had lunch with a close friend before returning to his favorite chair on his back porch where he peacefully passed.
He is survived by his daughter Jan Elizabeth Schmid King, son David Stanley Schmid, daughter-in-law Cosette Schmid, grandsons Harrison Schmid, Chase King, Tyler Schmid, Malcolm Schmid and Conner King, and his beloved sister Ann Park.
Born and raised in Atlanta, GA, the son of John and Nettie Mae Schmid. He was a lifelong resident of Metro Atlanta owning homes in both Decatur and Tucker.
In his early years, Harry had a paper route and would cut grass with hand clippers to help earn money for his family as the nation came out of the Great Depression. When his country asked for its best and brightest willing to sacrifice everything, at the age of 17 Harry bravely enlisted into the US Army Air Corps and served in the European Theater in World War II. He served as a mechanic on fighter planes until his honorable discharge, achieving the rank of Corporal.
Returning from the War, Harry worked at a gas station but soon realized that he still had strong desires to serve his country and community and applied to become a police officer for the City of Decatur. Upon completing his training, he went on to study law and receive a Master’s Degree in law with no intention of becoming an attorney, but rather to be a better police officer who could truly help the people in his jurisdiction. Eventually he became Captain of the police force and lovingly known by the community he called home as “Captain Smitty.” While a police officer he oversaw a program working with the local schools and the Patrol program. He would take students on trips to Washington DC and train them in safety and protocol. Later in his career as an officer he ran for and was elected as the President of the Peace Officers Association of Georgia.
He met Elizabeth Maybelle Pope whom he eventually married in Salt Lake City Temple in 1964. They bought their first home in Decatur, GA and dreamed of starting a family. In 1969 their dream came true with the adoption of Jan Elizabeth Schmid, expanded on that dream in 1970 with the adoption of David Stanley Schmid. With their new family they decided to move to the suburbs and bought a house in Tucker, GA where Harry lived the rest of his life.
After adopting his children, Harry retired from the police force and was appointed to be the Voter Registrar for Dekalb County. He held this position for over 10 years. After leaving the service of Dekalb County, he became the Head of Security for The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at their main facility off Clifton Road where Elizabeth also worked. This is where he would work until his retirement.
In 1996 Harry lost his treasured bride Elizabeth to breast cancer. Devasted from this loss his health began to deteriorate. He would wind up having a quintuple bypass that saved his life and gave him a renewed will to live. Having been serving his community in the bishopric of his local church congregation, he would go on to then serve in the stake presidency, with responsibility for seven congregations across metro Atlanta, where he earned the beloved title “Prez Schmid.” Harry also arranged for LDS missionaries to live at his home. Over the past 20 years, Harry has had countless missionaries live with him and enjoy his glowing presence, his endless stories, and his unconditional love. Next to his marriage and children, this is his greatest pride.
Family and friends are invited to a viewing at the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints at 1947 Brockett Rd, Tucker, GA 30084 on Sunday September 8, 2019 from 4:00pm to 5:30pm. A memorial service will be held after the viewing in the chapel at 6:00pm from 4:00pm to 5:30pm. A memorial service will be held in the chapel at 6:00pm. Harry will be buried at Georgia National Cemetery in Canton, Ga on Monday September 9, 2019 at 11:00am. Please share this event with those who you think would like to come celebrate Harry's life and bid farewell.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donation be made to the Georgia Peace Officers Association:
https://poag-foundation.org/donate/