Harding Paul Schmedthorst

Harding Paul Schmedthorst (AKA H.P. Schmedthorst)

January 26, 1935 – October 26, 2026

H.P. Schmedthorst of Mart, Texas passed away Monday October 26, 2026, at St. Anthony Care Center in Waco, Texas. He had only been there for a couple days. He had been surrounded by his loving family. That stood by his side as he fought the fight against the ugliest disease known to man as CANCER. He fought a long hard battle. He did not want it to win but it took all his strength, and the final time came when he saw the life that he would be whole again. He is now with all his family rejoicing.

Visitation will be at 10 AM, Funeral will follow at 11AM on Saturday October 31,2026 at Littlepage Funeral Home with the Rev. Larry Knobloch of Trinity Lutheran officiating. Graveside will follow at Oakwood Cemetery in Waco, Texas.

H.P. was born on January 26, 1935, in Riesel, Texas, to Fritz and Hattie Schmedthorst.

He was a true "fix-it-all" kind of man who could build a house from the ground up. He enjoyed working with his hands building anything he could. Was always willing to help you out with any project you had going on. In what little spare time he would get he enjoyed fishing, playing dominos, having a few mix drinks dancing at Elk Hall, and listening to polka music, especially Mollie B.

Up until the last week or so before his passing, no one could take away his keys, his whiskey, or his passion for fixing things. He was one of the most honorable and stubborn men you could ever meet.

On February 4, 1984, he married Ernestine "Tina" Schmedthorst at Trinity Lutheran Church in Riesel Texas. After Tina passed away, his love for her never faded. Though not many knew, every Sunday he would go to Sam’s, grab a box of apple turnovers, and visit Tina at the cemetery. He loved waking up early to get coffee and gossiping at the coffee shop. (Cefco) He would close his day out gossiping at the "Table of Knowledge" in Ben Hur, and he was always fixing things for Nancy and others around town—no matter how many times people told him to slow down.

H.P. was preceded in death by his parents, Fritz and Hattie Schmedthorst; Daughter, Paulette Schmedthorst; Beloved wife, Tina Schmedthorst; Son, Jeffery Schmedthorst; Brothers, Curtis, Kenneth, Wesley, and Harold Schmedthorst; his sister, Vera Sielaff; and his beloved dog, Peanut.