Raymond Schmitz Jr.

SERVICE UPDATE: A memorial service will be held at CRESS FUNERAL AND CREMATION SERVICE, 3610 Speedway Road, Madison, on Friday, June 17, 2022, at 1:00 pm. A visitation will be held at the funeral home on Friday, from Noon until the time of service.

Raymond William Schmitz Jr, 89 of Madison passed on away peacefully on Christmas Eve at 00:00 PM.

He was born on June 27, 1932 to Raymond W and Alice C. Schmitz in Sauk City, WI. Ray Graduated as co-salutatorian from the 1950 class of Sauk City High School. He received his degree in accounting from the University of Wisconsin – Madison in June of 1954 and his CPA certificate in 1957. He became a member of three national scholastic honorary fraternities include the prestigious Phi Beta Kapp.

Ray married his college sweetheart, Jenny Lou Ellis of Monroe on August 28, 1954. They celebrated 67 years together in August of 2021.  Ray and Jenny had three children, Pamela Rae Patton (Bob) of Birmingham, AL, Jeffrey Scott (Shannon) of Austin, TX and Laurie Ann (deceased).

Ray served his country as an officer in the US Army Transportation Corps from 1955 – 1957. While in the service he was comptroller of the US Army base at Fort Story Virginia. After an honorable discharge he returned to his prior employment as a accountant with the CPA firm of Ronald Mattox & Associates in Madison.

In 1961 he became CFO of the University Book Store where he stayed until he joined Gilson Medical as VP of Finance and Controller in 1966. He remained with Gilson until his semi-retirement in December of 1996.

He completed his account career in 2018 after serving as a part-time consultant for several Madison organizations including St. Paul’s Chapel & All Comfort Services and 6 years as a tax preparer for Ablre Tax Associates.

Ray was always willing to answer tax questions from his friends and family. He would also prepare their individual returns, some for over 40 years!, always refusing payment. He was also generous with his time and talents, serving on the boards of several non-profits including Oakwood Retirement Homes, Sauk Creek Condominiums.

As an avid supporter of University of Wisconsin athletics, Ray also spent over 40 years on Badger Football and Badger Basketball Booster boards. Including terms VP and President of the Badger Basketball Booster club. Many of those years were the most successful in the history or Wisconsin athletics and that’s when he became known --or proclaimed himself—as St. Raymond.

He is survived by his wife Jenny, 2 children, 3 grandchildren, his brother Richard (Sandy) in Chantilly, VA., and his brother-in-law Roger Ellis (Ardy) of Oconomowoc. Ray was preceded in death by is parents, his in-laws, his daughter Laurie, brother Robert and sister Yvonne.

Should you desire, memorials may be made to your favorite charity, to Oakwood Retirement Homes or the UW Foundation for credit to Badger Basketball Boosters.

A memorial will be held at the Cress Funeral Home on Mineral Point Road at 1:00PM on June 17, 2022.  Ray’s family will host a reception following the service at The Vintage Brewing Company, 674 South Whitney Way.