Minor Jones Schmid

Minor Jones Schmid was born in Knapp, Wisconsin, on October 21, 1922, together with his twin brother, Maurice, who predeceased him. Minor died peacefully on March 12, 2017. He was a vibrant, friendly person who led an exciting and happy life. He loved to talk with people about all sorts of topics, including music, politics, and issues of the day. He was a sole practitioner of law in Oakland, CA for 40 years. He is survived by his wife, Rosemary, son-in-law and daughter, Bryan and Carol Frazee, his granddaughters, Amy and Hannah Frazee, his cousins, Elton Grapes, and Ellen (and Chuck) Dettmann and their families, and several nephews and nieces.
Minor grew up in Knapp, Wisconsin, and graduated from Menominee High School in 1940. He enjoyed music very much as a child and played the piano. He met his wife, Rosemary, when he drove her from Knapp to Menominee for High School. He then attended Stout Institute in Menominee, Wisconsin, and studied, among other things, woodworking. After the start of World War II he was drafted into the Army and joined the Blackhawks, the "kid division," who saw action in Europe as part of Patton's Army during the Battle of the Bulge. He made lifelong friends in the army, who he talked about even at the end of his life. He ended the war in Europe in Austria. Then, he was shipped to the Philippines to start preparing for the invasion of Japan.
After the war ended, Minor returned to the Bay Area, and graduated from UC Berkeley with a B.S. degree in Political Science. On February 11, 1947, he married Rosemary in a lovely ceremony surrounded by cherry blossoms at First Presbyterian Church, Berkeley. Minor went on to graduate from UC Hasting School of Law, San Francisco, CA. After passing the California Bar Exam, he set up a solo law practice in Oakland, CA, where he assisted clients with a variety of matters, including personal injury litigation, employment matters, adoptions, and wills and trusts.
Minor lived in Berkeley, CA for 59 years. He remained a long time member of First Presbyterian Church Berkeley, until his death. He served as head usher and as an elder for many years enjoying the Church Fellowship very much. He had many lifelong friends at the church, who were a very meaningful part of his life, including the Yee Family (Hank, Alice, Steve, Rob, Ron, Tim, and Ted.).
On October 21, 1956, he received what he said was his best birthday present ever, the birth of his only child, his daughter, Carol Ann, who was baptized at First Presbyterian Church Berkeley. In 1960, Minor and Rosemary worked with a builder who designed and built their house at 11 Hill Road near the Golf Course entrance to Tilden Park, where they lived until May 2006. Because of Minor's lifetime love of woodworking which he learned about at the Stout Institute, he built a woodworking shop in the basement of 11 Hill Road and made many beautiful items for his friends and family. He especially enjoyed making wooden clock cases. He also enjoyed tinkering with his cars and was an avid salmon fisherman.
In May 2006, Minor and Rosemary moved to Royal Oaks Manor, a Continuing Care Retirement Community, in Bradbury, CA. Minor made many friends at "The Manor" and served as the head of the scholarship committee for employees of the "The Manor" for a time. He also attended Bible Study with Dr. Hal Lane, played Dub's Bridge, led singing at Bradbury Oaks, and sang in the choir. Like all other times in his life, he enjoyed fellowship with the people in his life very much. Minor and Rosemary also had beautiful parties at "The Manor" celebrating their 60th and 65th Wedding Anniversaries.
Minor was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in June 2016 and ultimately died of the disease, Memorial services will be at the Chapel at Royal Oaks Manor, 1763 Royal Oaks Dr. North, Bradbury, CA, on March 25, 2017, at 1 pm.