Theodore G Schmidt Jr.

Theodore G. “Ted” Schmidt, Jr., 99, of Salt Lake City, passed away peacefully at home Monday, September 15, 2025. He was married to Elizabeth Ellis Schmidt for 60 years; she passed away in 2012. Ted was born September 4, 1926, in Bottineau, North Dakota. The eldest child of Marion Mackay Schmidt and Theodore G. Schmidt, Sr., he was delivered by his maternal grandfather.

The family moved to Jamestown, North Dakota when Ted’s father joined the J.C. Penney Company. Ted and his two brothers, Mack and Bill, enjoyed living there — the town had excellent schools, and the boys had the run of the town with their bikes. Ted considered the years in Jamestown the golden years of his youth. When he was 14 the family moved to Scottsbluff, Nebraska. For a better education, Ted was sent to Onarga Military School in Illinois. Though quite homesick in the beginning, he found that keeping busy solved the problem. The rigid schedule of the school affected how he approached time for the rest of his life — being on time meant arriving early.

After graduation Ted headed to the University of Colorado, where he immediately pledged Phi Delta Theta and majored in business. He went on to earn an MBA at NYU. He soon was working in the Seattle J. C. Penney store. After two years he took a leave of absence to enlist in Army Officer Candidate School. While waiting for orders, he went to Ogden, Utah to visit his parents, where he was set up on a blind date with Elizabeth Ellis. Ted and Liz hit it off, enjoying occasional dates and many letters during Ted’s army postings. They married February 24, 1952 in Ogden. Liz had been widowed during WWII and had a daughter, Betsy, who Ted adopted.

Once married, Ted and Liz and their growing family began their many moves around the country. From Fort Lee, Virginia to Ogden to Philadelphia with the Army; then on to Seattle and Bellingham, Washington; San Carlos and San Marino, California; and Barrington, Illinois with J. C. Penney. Ted III joined the family in Ogden; Sandefur arrived in Seattle.

After their children were out of the house, Ted took a position in Kobe, Japan, where Penney’s had a brief flirtation with going international. Ted and Liz had the time of their lives in Japan. They made lifelong friends with all the “gaijin” (non-Japanese citizens) who lived in Kobe and traveled extensively through Japan and other countries in the area. This experience opened the door to traveling Ted and Liz loved for the rest of their lives.

Having moved Liz 10 times before Japan, Ted took a final JCP position managing the Concord, California store as he had skipped over that position and wanted the experience. Ted found a home in Diablo with Japanese influence in its architecture. They lived there for almost 30 years, putting down deep roots. Ted took early retirement from Penney’s and joined his son in the luggage and gift business. At one point Ted had five stores between the Luggage Rack and gift store Elizabeth’s.

Ted finally retired in his late 70s to care for Liz, who had developed health issues. They moved to Salt Lake City in 2006 to be closer to a large, extended family. Ted immediately joined Rotary, and soon had season tickets to Ballet West, the Utah Symphony, and Utah Opera, as well as Logan’s Utah Festival Opera and Musical Theatre. Their many moves taught both Ted and Liz how to make new friends quickly, and they were content in Salt Lake immediately. There were many family gatherings they appreciated — especially the delicious leftovers that went home with them! They truly felt they had arrived home.

Due to Liz’s health issues, they used the Bear Lake Memorial Hospital in Montpelier frequently. Ted helped them open their first dialysis clinic, which enabled Liz to enjoy Bear Lake and has helped many residents and visitors since.

After Liz passed away, Ted lived alone for the first time in his life. He mourned her for months, then decided to find ways to keep enjoying life. He traveled with his daughters, both in and out of the U.S. until COVID and age ended travel. He served on Rotary committees, attended and supported all the arts he was so interested in, and enjoyed every summer at Bear Lake with Liz’s extended family, who had become his own. And he continued a practice he’d started years earlier helping young people reach their academic and life goals through mentoring and being their friend.

Through 99 years of life, Ted lived every minute enthusiastically. He continued to learn, to make new friends, and to enjoy the friends and family who surrounded him his entire life.

Ted is survived by three children, Betsy Dam of Poway, California, Ted Schmidt (Linda) of Bozeman, Montana, and Sandefur Schmidt of Provo, Utah; two grandsons, Gregory Dam (Diana) of Dallas, Texas and Eric Lavran of Poway; two great-grandsons, Stephen and Benedict Dam; two step-grandchildren, Alexandria (Ian) Anderson and Winston (Liz) Housel of Bozeman; sisters-in-law, Pat Schmidt, of Chicago, and Gailor Schmidt, of Whitefish, Montana; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife; grandson, Stephen Dam; his parents; and brothers, Alexander M. Schmidt and William R. Schmidt.

The family would like to thank Bear Lake Memorial Hospital and Dustin Pond with the hospital’s Home Nursing Care; also Dr. Kaitlyn Pelletier and BrightStar Care in Salt Lake City for their help as Ted dealt with cancer during his last three months.

A graveside service will be held on Saturday, October 11, 2025, at 10 a.m. at the Ben Lomond Cemetery, 526 East 2850 North, North Ogden. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday from 2 to 4 p.m. at The Country Club, 2400 Country Club Dr, Salt Lake City (Ted’s ultimate party). Please wear the bright colors Ted loved so much!

Services entrusted to Lindquist's Ogden Mortuary. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Ballet West, Bear Lake Memorial Hospital, Bear Lake Watch, or to your favorite arts organization.