Larry Thomas Schmeits

Larry Thomas Schmeits, 80, of Aztec, New Mexico, passed away peacefully at home on June 4, 2026, surrounded by his children and grandchildren.

Larry was born on November 16, 1945, in Royal, Nebraska, to Louis and Wonona Schmeits. He was the third of four children, joining older siblings Ron and Mary Lou, and later welcoming his younger sister, Becky.

He attended elementary at country school near the family farm, often riding his horse to the one-room schoolhouse. As a young man, Larry was active in 4-H, where he showed cattle and hogs. He graduated from Neligh High School in 1963, where he was a dedicated wrestler, qualifying for the state tournament all four years and placing third in the 133-pound weight class his senior year.

After high school, Larry entered the Air Force, attending basic training at Lackland Air Force Base, near San Antonio, Texas. After basic training, he volunteered to participate in a study conducted by the U.S. Air Force school of Aerospace Medicine. He had many adventures in the military, most of which he would tell you are still classified. He later utilized his GI Bill benefits and studied electrical engineering in college.

Larry enjoyed a variety of careers throughout his life. He was smart, adaptable and very handy. He made use of his engineering skills around the house, fixing anything that needed repair, and remodeling more than one fixer-upper. He enjoyed having a cozy home and had a knack for decorating and incorporating his love of the outdoors, hunting and family heirlooms into each home he had.

Larry married Bonnie Ray in 1970 in Colorado. Two sons were born to this union, James and Tom. Though Bonnie and Larry divorced later on, they remained lifelong friends.

Larry enjoyed living and working in many places in the United States, including Nebraska, California, Florida, Washington State, Texas, Pennsylvania, Nevada, Arizona, Oregon, New Mexico. He finished his career in New Mexico in the Oil and Gas industry and retired to Aztec in 2022, where he delighted in handing out business cards that simply read, “Larry Schmeits, Retired.”

An avid outdoorsman, Larry had a lifelong passion for hunting and fishing. He always enjoyed a good laugh and is remembered as the family prankster, who delighted in being mischievous. He enjoyed snow skiing, inspiring his younger sister to take up the sport by leaving her at the top of a slope at A Basin, telling her he would see her for lunch. Becky shared he had quite the smirk as he skied away. His older brother Ron fondly remembered their early mornings doing farm chores, joking that despite waking up at the same time, the milking would usually be finished before Larry even made it to the barn.

Larry’s family was always important to him. No matter what part of the US he was in, he made time to show up - many times as a surprise - for the important moments in his family’s lives, even if he was living across the country. He was never afraid of a long road trip if it meant spending time with his family.

His greatest joy, however, was his grandchildren. He shared countless adventures with them, passing down his love of the outdoors. He especially cherished hunting trips with his grandson Tommy, while his granddaughters remember him teaching them to shoot, cooking wonderful meals, and taking them on one very memorable kayaking trip.

Larry is preceded in death by his parents, Louis and Wonona (Sherry) Schmeits, daughter-in-law, Marilyn Schmeits, and brother-in-law Jack Sauser.

Larry is survived by his sons and daughter-in-law, James and Jianghuai Schmeits, and Thomas Schmeits; brother and sister-in-law Ron and Ann Schmeits, sister Mary Sauser, sister and brother-in-law Becky and James Carr, grandchildren Tommy Schmeits Jr., Sarah Schmeits, and Joanna Schmeits, and several nieces, nephews, and their families, and his three beloved dogs.

Larry’s family cherishes the many memories they shared with him and is deeply grateful for the years they had together.

A Memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 13, 2026, at 3:00pm at Farmington Funeral Home, 2111 W. Apache Street, Farmington, New Mexico.