John Gerard Schmitz

• John Gerard Schmitz was born on Tuesday, November 6, 1956 to Mary Ann and John F. Schmitz, in Torrance, California. John was also known as Johnny to family. • Johnny lived in Redondo Beach with his older sister Maria until his first birthday, when his parents bought a new house in Anaheim, where he continued to live with Maria, younger sister Ann, a younger brother Gary, for the next twenty-two years plus a couple of stops between other living arrangements. • Johnny attended St. Justin Martyr School for grades 1 through 8, Trident Junior High School for 9th grade, and Anaheim High School for grades 10 through 12. • Johnny was always looking for ways to make money, and in junior high school he mowed lawns. In high school he worked for a neighborhood donut shop and for a couple of grocery stores. • Soon after graduating, John embarked on a new career using metal fabrication and welding skills he had polished throughout high school and in the process, earned three welding certifications, learned to fit and weld pipe, heavy structural assemblies, as well as smaller metal assemblies. • In the early 80s John began re-evaluating career options, ultimately choosing to study purchasing and materials management through Fullerton College. Within months of successfully completing a certificate program, he left a 12 year welding career and took a job performing materials planning and purchasing. • Johns procurement career took him through some interesting jobs and industries, from aerospace fabrication to his most recent, sourcing and purchasing a variety of commodities to support product development efforts with the Irrigation Division of The Toro Company. • While employed with Toro John decided to return to school with the intention of completing the work for a bachelor degree. He completed the coursework after several interruptions, in 2017. • After his 35 year second career, 23 with Toro, he was forced to resign in 2019 due to the advancing disability caused by ALS. • John also earned certifications to teach aerobics and indoor cycling, and was employed by L A Fitness on a part-time basis for 19 years • Shortly after changing careers John met Laura (Lor) Patrcia Glover and they married in 1986 after dating for just shy of two years. • Lor (pronounced Lori) and John moved to Corona from Anaheim in 1987 to raise their family. • After almost 20 years of loving devotion, Lor passed away suddenly, leaving John to finish raising their 4 children. • In addition to enjoying his family, he liked cooking, doing a variety of home improvement projects, working on just about anything mechanical, boating with friends and family, riding his motorcycles, and was a lifelong cyclists. He also enjoyed sober living through Alcoholics Anonymous, and participating in Toastmasters. • John passed away on month xx, 20xx and is now in the loving arms of our Lord and reunited with his son David and his wife Lor. • John is survived by his fiance Karen Leite, his children John Stephen, Andrew John, Ryan Joseph, and Hannah Janel, and grandchild John David. • He is also survived by his two sisters Maria Byron and Ann Grimes. • Johns memory will live for a lifetime, in the hearts of those who he loved, and those who loved him. • John was a believer, and as a believer, shares in the promise of an eternity in heaven with God through the blood of Jesus Christ. • Johns favorite Bible verses were Proverbs Chapter 3; Verses 5 and 6: 5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. Visitation Thomas Miller Mortuary 1118 East Sixth Street Corona, CA 92879 (951) 737-3244 | Tuesday 6/16, 9:00 am - 10:00 am Service Thomas Miller Mortuary 1118 East Sixth Street Corona, CA 92879 (951) 737-3244 | Tuesday 6/16, 10:00 am - 11:00 pm Cemetery Holy Sepulcher Catholic Cemetery 7845 E. Santiago Canyon Rd. Orange, CA Tuesday 6/16, 12:00 pm 7845 E.Santiago Canyon Rd. Orange, Ca. 92869