David Joseph Schmitz

On July 8^th, 2023, at the age of 67, David Joseph Schmitz died unexpectedly of an apparent heart attack in Bryan, Texas.

David was born on April 22nd, 1956, in Miami Beach, Florida. He graduated from Lemmon High School in 1974 and went on to attend South Dakota State University where he graduated with a degree in Parks & Recreation.

David met his wife Debbie in June of 1980, while she was teaching swimming lessons and he was working as a lifeguard in McAllen, Texas. Taken with her beauty, he wasted no time proposing and starting their family together. They were engaged 2 months later and married the following year in 1981. They welcomed their son Troy in 1982 and their daughter Kati in 1984. 

David dedicated his entire career to steadfastly serving his community and helped improve the landscape of every place he touched. He started as the Superintendent of Recreation for the City of McAllen where he stayed for 19 years before moving to Bryan Texas in 1999 where he worked as the Director of Parks and Recreation for 9 years before his first retirement in 2008. His love for designing parks, exceptional leadership qualities, and unwavering dedication to providing for his loved ones lead him out of retirement and into his role of as the Director of Parks and Recreation for the City of College Station where he served for 12 years before his second retirement in 2020. His talent and devotion unmatched, in 2021 he was called to serve again as the Parks & Recreation and Facilities Director for the City of Bryan, where he worked until the time of his death.

When he wasn’t working, he could be found doing what he loved most of all, building his home and spending time with his family. He lived for summers filled with swimming and game nights; always working on his yard and pool and never missing an opportunity to go out to the ballpark for a Bombers game or play board games around the kitchen table.

He was a mentor, provider, and friend to all who knew him, and leaves behind a legacy of love and passion that will be etched in our minds and hearts forever.

He was preceded in death by parents Lyle and Frances Schmitz and sister-in-law, Anne Schmitz.

David is survived by his wife Debbie; children Troy (Leah) Schmitz, Kati (Paul) Langston; five beautiful grandchildren, Lorelai and Carson Langston, Evey, Emerson, and Scarlett Schmitz; mother-in-law Eddie Jo Patterson; sisters Yvonne (Dave) Seifert, Yvette (Dan) Jansen, Annette (Jason) Baumeister; brothers Lyle (Sandy) Schmitz, Matt Schmitz; and numerous cousins, aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews.

In lieu of flowers please send donations to Bethel Baptist Church, 9900 State Hwy. 30, College Station, TX 77845.