Saturday, May 18, 2024, Jeffrey Lynn Schmitt passed to be with his parents, grandparents, fellow Marines, and friends from across the country on the other side.

Born February 17, 1946, in Bedford, Indiana, Jeff and his parents moved to Chicago when he was 3 months old.  They continued to live in Chicago until his father passed when Jeff was 14 years old.  He and his Mother then moved to WV, where his grandparents had retired.  It was in WV that Jeff met the love of his life, Linda Ellison Schmitt.  They remained by each other's side for 57 years.

After graduating from West Virginia University, Jeff entered the US Marine Corps.  He served 4 years including a tour in Viet Nam and was honorably discharged with the rank of Captain.

In 1971, Jeff began his corporate career with a large telecommunications company where he rose to Executive Management through various positions in five states. In the late 1990's Jeff and Linda retired to a farm in northern Orange County, North Carolina.  The bucolic life of farm living found its' way into their days of continuous ground maintenance, raising cattle, never-ending gardening, and entertaining grandchildren.  Over the 19 years spent on Calaveras Farm, Jeff volunteered in many community aspects including Toys 4 Tots, Cattlemen's Association, and various county planning commissions and civic organizations.

By 2015, health issues made it difficult to continue life on the farm, so Jeff and Linda moved to Cary, NC.  This move gave Jeff time for continuing his passion for golf and biking.

Jeff is survived by his wife, Linda, son Jay and granddaughters Caroline and Julia of Apex, NC, son Scott, daughter in law Kim and grandchildren Eli and Sadie of Indianapolis, IN.

Services will be Friday, May 24 at 1:00PM at Apex Funeral Home in Apex, North Carolina. Graveside service will be Saturday, May 25 at 3:00PM at Green Hill Cemetery in Union, WV.  In case of inclement weather Saturday service will be at Groves Mann Funeral Home chapel in Union, WV.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Duke Cancer Research at www.dukecancerinstitute.org.