Arthur Francis "Art" Schmitt

Arthur Francis Schmitt passed away at his home in Norman following a 10-year battle with COPD.He was born April 3, 1945, in the front bedroom of his parents' home in Oklahoma City, delivered by his grandfather. He grew up in Oklahoma City and after graduating from Classen High School, he joined the US Army. He served six years during the Cold War, including a tour Germany, with the Defense Atomic Support Agency. Art was honorably discharged and returned to Oklahoma City where he began a 40-year career in telecommunications. Art was very loyal, he worked for the same company, though it changed ownership several times, for all 40 years. Beginning as Western Electric and, when he retired at age 65 as a computerized phone switch tester, the company was Alcatel-Lucent Nokia.Art was very caring. He lived with and cared for his parents until their deaths. He was an avid hunter and fisherman and taught his nephew to fish. He has spent the last year at his sister's home in the country where he enjoyed working all kinds of puzzles and watching the wildlife. He is survived by six siblings, Frederick L. Schmitt III (Maria), Stephen G. Schmitt (Mary Ann), Mary E. Bush (Gene), David D. Schmitt (Reba), Robert L. and Clara M. Boggs (Jonathan); as well as several nieces and nephews and their families. His parents, Frederick L. Jr., and Kathryn Schmitt, and a brother, William T., preceded him in death.A service to celebrate Art will be Tuesday, January 18, 2022, at 10 a.m. at Smith & Kernke N. May Chapel. Burial will follow with military honors at Gracelawn Cemetery in Edmond.In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made in Art's name to Good Shepherd Hospice, 4350 Will Rogers Pkwy Ste 400, Oklahoma City, OK 73108.