VIEW PHOTOS
Mr. Schmalz is eighty-four and in spite of his Parkinson’s disease, enjoys each day with family and friends.
His Grandson, Thomas Herndon, needed to interview someone for a class project in his sophomore year and he chose his Grandfather. That was the beginning of “My Seesaw Life”. “Life is a seesaw for each of us. It has its ups and downs.”
Jean grew up in the New Ulm/Marlin area here in Texas. He has lived through the depression and served in the Army during World War II. After he had served his country he traveled extensively, hitchhiking across the country, visiting friends and attending various schools and colleges.
Settling in Katy he became an art teacher, teaching watercolor, tempera, collages, oils, pottery and sculpture. Rev. Herb Stallknecht stated, “I was one of his art students, but not a successful one!”
Jean’s wife Betty was a librarian and English teacher and they both served the community. The Katy Independent School District recognized Betty’s and his contributions to education by naming a school the Betty and Jean Schmalz Elementary School.
He was also a Sunday school teacher and his art background found him designing banners, posters, flower arrangements and Christmas cards for the church. He also became very creative with natural sand in various colors that he had collected from around the world to create beautiful pieces of artwork. He stated that he and one other artist were the only ones around that did this.
To learn more about this amazing man his book “My Seesaw Life” is available at the library or it can be found online at http://www.lulu.com/product/hardcover/myseesaw-life/1627844
2011 UPDATE
Jean E. Schmalz, 87, of Katy, Texas passed away June 27, 2011. He was born September 27, 1924 to Vernita Norma and Herman August Schmalz in Marlin, Texas. He graduated from Marlin High School at age 17, and shortly after his 18th birthday reported for basic training in the Army. From there he was selected to attend the Army's School for Cooks and Bakers and was then assigned to a baker's position on board a Liberty ship that supported U.S. forces throughout the Pacific Theater during World War II.
After the war, he returned to the U.S. and entered Sam Houston State Teacher's College where he received a degree in art and biology in the spring of 1949. He applied to the Katy Independent School District and was hired to teach Jr. and Sr. High art and drive a school bus. In 1951, he married Katy Jr. High English teacher Lillie Bing from Oakwood, Texas, and in 1956 received a Masters Degree in Art Education from the University of Houston. Lillie and Jean had two children a daughter, Kerry and a son, David. In 1961, Lillie passed away following a brief illness. Five years later, he married Katy High School Librarian Betty Ann Swogetinsky, a Katy native. Together Jean and Betty made many contributions to High School campus life. Jean was involved in numerous extracurricular activities from publishing the school's year book, painting scenery for school plays, making signs for rodeo events, taking tickets at football games, and he and Betty served as chaperones for several student tours of Europe. Most of all, he loved inspiring his students to be creative.
Jean retired from teaching in 1981, but continued to substitute teach for several more years. In August of 2001 the Katy School District recognized Jean and Betty's contributions to education by naming a new school after them - Schmalz Elementary. Outside of school, Jean was an artist in his own right who created works using various media - oil and tempura paints, sand, encaustic, clay, yarn, fabric and flowers. He made banners depicting the church seasons for the Katy First United Methodist Church and a special set of banners for his daughter's wedding. Jean also loved to bake, especially bread. He made many people happy with gifts of German Christmas bread, kolaches, sweet rolls and coffee cake on special occasions or "just because...". During his retirement, he continued to travel, go fishing, keep up his family's farm, serve on a Drainage District Board, visit with family, participate in German-American Society events and in the local Parkinson's Disease Support Group. He will be remembered for his endless willingness to share his creative talents and his love of good food and fellowship.
Jean is survived by a daughter, Kerry Herndon (Steve); two grandsons, Thomas Herndon (Stephanie) and Andrew Herndon; two sisters, Ruth Briggs (Bill) and Harriett Davidson (Don); a sister-in-law, Carolyn Schmalz; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wives; his son, David; his twin brother, Joel; and older brother, Herman Jr.
Visitation will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday June 30, 2011, at the Schmidt Funeral Home Chapel, in Katy. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, July 1, 2011, at the First United Methodist Church, in Katy, with Rev. Marlin Fenn officiating. Interment in Katy Magnolia Cemetery.
The family requests that memorial gifts be given to Katy First United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 925, Katy, TX 77492-0925; or the Houston Area Parkinson's Society, 1475 W. Gray Street, Houston, TX 77019-4926 (www.hapsonline.org).
Jean's family is grateful for the care he received at Brookshire Nursing Center during the final 4 years of his life, and for all the friends and former students who faithfully visited him during his time there.
Funeral services held under the direction of Schmidt Funeral Home, 1508 East Avenue, Katy, Texas 77493, 281-391-2424.
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