John Tristan Schmidt
Tristan died Friday, April 29, 2016 as the result of a motorcycle-vehicle accident Thursday, April 28, 2016 on Route 21 near Given, WV.
Tristan was an accomplished motocross enthusiast winning many local and regional competitions and had qualified for a national championship race at the Amateur National Motocross Championship at Loretta Lynn’s in Hurricane Mills, Tennessee.
He was a student at WVU Parkersburg extension and was pursuing a degree in the medical field. He was employed at The Community Fitness Center in Ripley, WV, and was a member of Young Life Maranatha Fellowship in St. Albans, WV.
He was predeceased by his sister, Kathryn Elizabeth Schmidt, grandmother, Betty Roberts and great grandmother, Marie Whitlock Bell.
Tristan is survived by his father, John H. Schmidt (Joyce Wingo); mother, Mary Alice Schmidt; sister, Rachel and stepsister, Mandy (Dominick) Pellegrin; Kevin Hemsworth, who was like a brother; grandfather, Marvin (Rosemary) Roberts; uncle, Mark Roberts and his daughter, Maria Ann Roberts; and many aunts, uncles and cousins.
Service will be 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, May 3, 2016 at Maranatha Fellowship, 2910 Kanawha Terrace, St. Albans, WV with Pastors Jamie Wright, Terry Hogue and Richard Myers officiating. Burial will follow at Graceland Memorial Park in South Charleston. The family will receive friends 2 hours prior to the service at the church.
The family wishes to thank the emergency services in Jackson County, the Jackson General Hospital and wishes to particularly thank the entire trauma service teams at CAMC General Division under the direction of Dr. Miguel Matos.
A heartfelt thank you goes out to close family and friends, Tim and Melinda Whitlock, Mary Gomez, Larry Womack and all of Tristan’s special group of friends for their love and support.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Kathryn and Tristan Memorial Fund at the CAMC Foundation.
Dear, dear Henry, I have retained a great affection for you across the years. I am so sorry for the great loss that you and your family are enduring and have endured through such important passings.
Earnestly,
Sarah (Connaghan) Pfefferle
Spearfish, South Dakota
To Tristan’s entire family, I’m so sorry for your loss. All the Connaghan Family sends their prayers and deep sympathy.
Dear John and Family,
We are very saddened by the news of Tristan’s passing. We did not know Tristan but, after reading the comments it is clear that he was a very special young man. We are so sorry about your tragic loss. We pray for peace and comfort to you and your family. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Tristan and my son played together on evenings that I went to a Bible study with the Maranatha Church at his house years ago. I am praying for your family. I know you probably dont remember me but that Bible study changed my life and I am so heartbroken for your family. May God give you comfort and may you know that a little part of you, Mary and Tristan will always be a good memory for me and my son. Your testimony and strength. We love you in Christ.
Our sincere sympathy to the Schmidt family. Our prayers are with the entire family.
To Mary Alice and Dr John and families. Our family is so sad to hear about Tristan. Our dad, Freeman Bell, loved him on this earth and is no doubt, with him now In heaven Maybe they are fishing and talking like they did together before. Our prayers are for your strength and faith. Joyce, Tony , Tim and Karen Bell.
I just found out today. I am so shocked and in disbelief. My deepest sympathy and condolences to John, Joyce, Mary Alice and family. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
I am so sorry ,my heart goes out to the family. I know Marie,and Tim only. May god give you the strength you need to get through this terrible tragedy. God Bless the family.
May the love of family and dear friends, fond memories and faith provide each of you with great comfort now and in the days ahead.
My deepest sympathies to Tristan’s family and friends. You are all in my thoughts and prayers. May God comfort you and help you to cherish the good memories.
So sorry for your loss. May God give you the peace & strength to get through this difficult time.
Doug & Kim Hughes
My deepest condolences at the loss of your son. I know there are no words that can offer any comfort, but know that we are all praying for you and your family.
My deepest sympathy. Your family are in my prayers.
Mary Alice, I remember when Tristan was a little boy at the horse shows and the barn, especially one of my first at Camp Virgil Tate (to watch Tess show) it rained for days, he and Bill Cunningham were outside looking for “Fogs,” as he called them.
My heart is so broken,
Deb Coffman
Mary Alice, Please know that I am so sorry to hear about Tristan’s death.
John, Mary Alice, family and friends: No words can work to ease your pain and loss. I am so very sorry.
Dr. Schmidt,
My deepest sympathy for your loss. I pray that God will keep you and your family wrapped in his arms of comfort to carry you through this time of sorrow.
Dr. Schmidt, We are so sorry for your families loss. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.
Dr Schmidt – My deepest thoughts and prayers to you and your family. May God give you comfort and strength. So sorry for your loss!
Mary Alice,
This is Watenia Alley. My thoughts and prayers will be with you. I am so sorry for your loss.
Deepest Sympathy and condolences to Dr Schmidt and family. Our prayers are with each one of you at this time. May the comfort of God be with each one of you now and always.
Emma, Dave, Courtney and Kaitlyn Gilham,
My deepest sympathy in the loss of a precious son. My humble prayers for his parents, family and friends. May God hold you close.
I met tristan his girlfriend and his mom at a racetrack in North Carolina. We hung out the whole weekend. When we left that Sunday we felt like family. I cannot imagine what you guys are going thru but I’m praying.
I will never forget Tristan Schmidt! I am the librarian at Ripley High and his senior year he worked in the library with me everyday as a Service Learning student. He was fun, he was easy to talk to, and he was kind to his fellow students. I chuckled at Ms. Steelhammer’s comments below, because I also remember a couple of times that he was dealing with the horses. One time in particular dealt with moving them to the barn for the winter. He explained the entire process to me because I knew nothing of this procedure. He shared his love for motocross and he often talked about his family. I am a former patient of his father’s and he admired his work so much. The loss of his sister was discussed and I think it shaped him and made him aware of the pain that people carry, but still go on with life. I am sad that he is gone and I pray for all those that loved him. He was a very special person.
MY PRAYERS ARE WITH THE TRISTAN SCHMIDT FAMILY FOR THE LOSS OF THEIR PRECIOUS SON, MAY GOD BLESS THE FAMILY AND MANY FRIENDS, HEAVEN HAS GAINED AN ANGEL””
My deepest sympathy to Mary Alice, John, Rachel as weil other family members and friends. All of you have been in my thoughts and prayers. I know the pain of losing a child, my heart breaks for Mary Alice and John.
My deepest sympathy. My prayers are with the family.
My deepest sympathy. The family are in my prayers.
My deepest sympathy goes out to Tristan’s parents. May God comfort you now and always.
I didnt know you but I’m still going to pay my respects R.I.P OL Buddy! #keepitpinned #ridewithjesus
GONE BUT NEVER FORGOTTEN!!
Part 2 from Tristan’s economics teacher. I remember one time Tristan came to class to tell me he couldn’t stay because he had to help his mother round up some escaped and adventurous horses. I remember noticing how pleased he was to be able to help his mother. I also remember being impressed that he knew how to round up horses. He was such a combination of so many wonderful traits. In spite of the short time I knew him and the small part of him I knew, it was obvious he was unique and very special. He is one of those students I remember no matter how many semesters and years pass. My heart breaks for his parents, family, and friends. The world is less without Tristan. May he rest in peace and may we all find comfort as we mourn our loss.
I am stunned and devastated by the tragic loss of Tristan. Tristan took an economics class I taught during the fall semester last year. Tristan would often join some of the students hanging around to talk. As a result, I had the privilege of knowing this incredible young man more than I knew most of the other students. There was no doubt he was a special kid. He was sweet, caring, and sensitive of others’ feelings. He was proud of both his parents and was concerned about their heartache caused by the death of his sister. He spoke to me often about his sister. He articulately described who she really was and what she meant to him. His love and admiration for her were strong and everlasting.