Thomas Francis Schmitt was born April 3, 1926 in Los Fresnos, Texas, and entered into the Heavenly Kingdom of his Lord Savior, Jesus Christ on October 28, 2012. He was known as "Tommy" by his family and friends. Tommy was born to Ida Ann Kuhn Schmitt and Francis Peter Schmitt. He was the third oldest in a line of five brothers. His grandpa, Frank Schmitt moved from South Dakota to San Benito in 1919 during the "land drive". They bought a house which was later moved to Los Fresnos, where Tommy was born. Upon graduation from Los Fresnos High School on May 20, 1943, Tommy joined the U.S. Army Air Force and was trained as an "aero gunner" on the B-17. After the war ended in 1945, Tommy's initial interest was to learn to fly planes, but his heart led him to farming as his livelihood. During his fifty plus years, he planted many a seed not only in the ground, but in the community as well. On August 25, 1949, Tommy married Alice "Louise" Kilgore. They had one daughter, Cynthia Lynn Schmitt, and two sons: Bruce Anthony Schmitt and Wayne Douglas Schmitt. Tommy served as mayor of Los Fresnos for several terms. He was President of the little league program and worked the concession stand for many years. He was a member of the District 4 Drainage Board as was his father. He also was a former member of the Masons and over a 60 year member of the American Legion. Tommy was a member of the First Baptist Church in Los Fresnos. Those that knew Tommy were well aware of his gift to talk and dance. He knew no strangers and could "spin a yarn" as well as anyone. Tommy was very smooth on the dance floor and continued wearing his dancing shoes as he celebrated his 86th birthday with a band and a dance. Tommy was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Alice "Louise" Schmitt, his mother and father, and brothers: Dennis Schmitt, Lawrence Schmitt, and Donald Schmitt. Tommy is survived by his two sons, Bruce Schmitt and wife, Karen, Wayne Schmitt, and one daughter Cindy Poff and her husband Jackie. He also leaves behind his five precious grandchildren who called him "Pawpaw"; Bruce Anthony Schmitt Jr. and his wife Adriana, Brandon Thomas Schmitt, Brenner Wayne Schmitt, Dr. Whitney Brooke Wolff and her husband Gavin, and Kinsey Reagan Poff. He is also survived by one brother, Leonard Schmitt and a host of nieces and nephews and friends. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, October 31, 2012 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Thomae-Garza Funeral Home in San Benito. Funeral service will be held on Thursday, November 1, 2012 at 10:00 am at Thomae-Garza Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Mont Meta Memorial Park. Military honors will be conducted by American Legion Post 43 of Brownsville, Texas. Serving as pallbearers are: Wayne Schmitt, Brenner Schmitt, Bruce Schmitt, Jackie Poff, Gavin Wolff, and Bruce Schmitt Jr. Honorary pallbearers are: Leonard Schmitt, Gil Gomez, Jim Kilgore, and David Young. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to the American Diabetes association at: www.Diabetes.org, First Baptist Church of Los Fresnos, or the charity of your choice. The Family of Tommy Schmitt would like to thank Pastor Don Ceglar of Christ Harbor Church in Laguna Vista, Texas for officiating the service. Also, many thanks to Dr. Cooper and all the staff at The Bridges Assisted Living, Renaissance Doctor's Hospital, and Pax Villa Hospice for caring for our dear father and Pawpaw. May God continue to use you and bless you as you minister and care for many others. You may sign the online guestbook and send words of comfort or sympathy cards to the family of Thomas "Tommy" Francis Schmitt at: www.thomaegarza.com. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Thomae-Garza Funeral Directors, 395 S. Sam Houston, San Benito, Texas, (956) 399-1331.