Raymond "Ray" Schmidt, age 75 of Bear Lake, MI died Tuesday, October 28, 2025 at Munson Medical Center in Traverse City, MI from complications following surgery.

He was born on April 26, 1950 in Cheboygan, MI to Henry & Ruth (Roberts) Schmidt. He was the youngest of a big loving family of eight children. He attended high school in Onaway. He married Kate Smith on December 27, 2014 at their home in Bear Lake, Michigan.

Ray was a fly fishing outfitter, founding Schmidt Outfitters and Double SS Outdoors. He enjoyed his life in Frog Hollow with his wife Kate & the Beagle Boys as well as cooking, fishing, fly tying, cold water conservation, teaching and sharing his knowledge with others.

In addition to his wife Kate he is survived by his son; Darin (Sheri) Schmidt and their daughter Phoenix, his daughter Nicole (David) Madsen and their children; Jacob (Virginia) Madsen, Bradley Madsen and fiance; Carly Densmore, Connor Madsen and two great grandchildren. Also surviving is his sister Carol Schmidt Shafto of Alpena, MI. He was preceded in death by sisters; Dorothy Peters Hawley, Janet Prichard Johnson, and Marilyn McCumber Webster and brothers; Jim, Harold, & John Schmidt.

A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, December 6, 2025 at 1:00 PM at the Oak Grove Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Manistee. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 11:00 AM until time of service. Live stream the service at : https://evt.live/ray-schmidt-memorial

In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to Pine River Trout Unlimited or the Conservation Resource Alliance.

Please share a memory with the family at www.oakgrovefh.com. Arrangements by the Oak Grove Funeral Home & Cremation Center in Manistee.