Remembering Jeff Schmitt: Son shares organ donation story on anniversary of father’s death

He was a husband, a father and highly successful Miami Valley business man at the top of his game.

But when Jeff Schmitt suddenly died, a piece of his son passed with him.

Now, the next generation is sharing his story of healing, moving forward and the importance of organ donation as the family’s company carries on without its leader.

By the time Jeff Schmitt unexpectedly died one year ago today, he had grown his family business into the Miami Valley’s largest car dealership.

What made the loss more painful is that his death came two years after his son, Jay Schmitt, gave him one of his kidneys.

>> RELATED: Exclusive tonight: Jeff Schmitt’s son shares organ donation story one year after father’s passing

The Schmitt family has never publicly shared their story, until now.

“I still have to pinch myself,” said Jay. “I’m 34-year-old in charge of this much.”

Jay runs the service shops, the show rooms and the offices for eight Jeff Schmitt Auto Group locations and 450 employees.

He took the wheel after his father died a year ago.

“I can’t ever fill his shoes,” Jay said.

The pair was running the company with Jeff in charge and Jay in the front seat when the patriarch passed away suddenly on Oct. 31, 2018.

“It was a shock to everyone,” said Jay.

His dad was at the peak of his health in 20 years, Jay added, but died from a heart attack when they were at lunch.

"I saw him die," Jay said. "I know the moment that he passed."
Jeff's death came two years after his reverse from a dead end.

“He was going to die,” his son explained. “I mean, he was on his death bed. He couldn’t walk, couldn’t enjoy life.”

Jeff’s kidneys were failing.

“My sister and I said, ‘Look, we want to donate a kidney,’” Jay said. “He wouldn’t even let us finish the sentence. Said, ‘I won’t take from my kids.’”

But eventually, the situation became so dire the Jeff agreed to let his son donate one of his two kidneys.

“I remember when I woke up from the surgery, I heard him asking for me and to be wheeled by me,” Jay said. “He had a really sarcastic, sick sense of humor. He said, ‘Son, you OK?’ I said yes. He goes, ‘Great, I don’t have to be nice to you anymore, I got what I needed.’”

His dad made a rapid recovery, Jay said.

“He was back here. He had that grin on his face. He was up to no good, giving people hard times, playing jokes,” Jay said. “And that led to what would be the best two years of my life. I was right by his side. We were running the company together. He felt great and everybody would just remark, ‘He’s back. Jeff’s back.’”

The final two years of his life, Jeff continued to live out the dream he had from before he was old enough to drive.

“He bought and sold like six cars before he turned 16,” Jay said.

>> RELATED: Jeff Schmitt, auto group owner, dies at age 64

An at 22, in 1976, Jeff applied to work at a car dealership, one that would later become part of the Jeff Schmitt Auto Group.

“I actually have his original job application that I found going through everything,” said Jay.

Jeff then spent the next two decades working toward his goal.

“He would work 9 to 9 every single day, but he would drive 25 minutes home for dinner so he could have dinner with his family every single day and then turn around and go back to work,” Jay explained.

And in 1999, he became the dealer.

Jeff allowed Jay to work in the office starting at age 15, and Jay slowly working his way up to second in command.

“He let me purchase some stick in the company, and that was my dad,” said Jay. “There was no giving. He made me work for every single thing that I ever had.”

Just six months later, Jeff died, leaving his number two to take over his office.

“It was hard,” Jay said. “I couldn’t move in for six months.

“I like to say he got me far enough. I wasn’t ready to give up my rock and my mentor, but he got me far enough.”

And though Jay has redecorated, he plans to keep his father’s memory alive, on his own road to success.

“The dealer always drives on the number one tag,” Jay said. “And if you ever notice, I drive on the number two tag, I retired the number one tag.”

The signs and plates in the office all still say Jeff Schmidt. Jay said it’s going to stay that way.

“This is his,” Jay said. “He built this. I’m carrying on the torch, but he lit it. So you know, it may be our legacy someday, but it’s his legacy.”

At 34, Jay was recently listed in the 40 Under 40 for Automotive News, a national publication.

He said that’s an honor his dad would be proud of.