Troy Schmidt

Troy Kent Schmidt, age 58 of Erie, Pa., passed away Saturday, December 19, 2020 in Weatherford, Okla. surrounded by his family after courageously battling brain cancer.

Troy will be remembered for his caring nature, intelligence, sense of humor, lifelong friendships, love for music, and passion for travel.

Troy, affectionately known as Grandpa T and T-Daddy, was born on July 15, 1962 in Weatherford, Okla., to Wesley G. and Frances (Penner) Schmidt. Troy attended Weatherford Public Schools and graduated in 1980. He then graduated from Southwestern Oklahoma State University in 1985, with a degree in Computer Science. Troy started his career in Houston with IBM, where he wrote software for NASA's mission control and for American Airlines. Troy later moved to Rochester, N.Y. to take on contract software engineering positions, which afforded him more flexibility to work and also march with the Empire Statesman; an elite drum and bugle corps for which he played the baritone bugle on the brass line.

On St. Patrick's Day in 1998, Troy, along with a few of his drum and bugle corps friends, were performing at various venues in Erie, Pa. One of the band's stops included the Erie Club. There, Troy was introduced to the love of his life and future wife, Amy. They were married on July 30, 2004 in Key West, Fla., while cruising aboard Royal Caribbean's Enchantment of the Seas. This was the first of an incredible number of cruises, sporting events, ski trips, sightseeing tours, and family reunions they enjoyed together as a married couple. Troy and Amy wintered in Boca Raton, Fla. and summered in Erie, Pa. They had a love for the water and always had a home with a waterfront view. In addition to their love for travel, Troy and Amy loved bike riding together, listening to live beach music and their favorite Elvis impersonator in Boca Raton, meeting up with friends and family to watch OU Sooner football games, and sharing a meal at one of their favorite restaurants. Troy referred to his time with Amy as a fairytale; the two shared an unwavering love that was instantly recognizable to everyone they met. This love was never greater than when Amy was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease and Troy became her primary and extremely attentive caregiver.

Troy is survived by his beloved wife, Amy Strayer Schmidt, of Erie, Pa.; stepdaughter, Shelby Strayer Roberts and husband, Brad, of Cleveland, Ohio; stepson, Kyle Flynn Strayer and wife, Lally, of Erie, Pa.; five adoring grandchildren; John, Samuel, and Zachary Roberts; Brantley and Everett Strayer; parents, Wes and Frances Schmidt, of Weatherford, Okla.; mother-in-law, Ann Swanson Dagit and husband, Hank, of Estero, Fla.; brother, Rick and wife, Vonnie, of Weatherford; brother, Bob and wife, Terri, of Germantown, Md.; sister, Cindy Schmidt West and husband, Darrell, of Sand Springs, Okla. brother-in-law, Bobby Swanson and wife, Cheryl, of Dallas, Texas; brother-in-law, Billy Swanson and wife, Halle, of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. and many nieces and nephews. Additionally, Troy is survived by his numerous close friends who meant so much to him- many of whom traveled from all over the U.S. and Canada to Erie to play a surprise tribute concert for him in July.

He was preceded in death by his father-in-law, Robert Reed Swanson.

Erie Funeral arrangements entrusted to Burton Quinn Scott at Wintergreen.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Alzheimer's Association or the Glioblastoma Research Foundation.