Virgil "Sonny" Schmidt, Jr '66 Virgil J. Schmidt Jr. - nickname "Sonny", 62 of Safford passed away March 17, 2010 at the Mt. Graham Regional Medical Center. He was born July 28, 1947 in San Antonio, Texas to Virgil Sr. and Thelma Schmidt. When Sonny was 8 years old the family moved to Tucson, later graduating from Palo Verde High School. Sonny was honorably discharged from the Marine Corps after serving two tours of duty in the Vietnam Conflict. He married Karen Hall on September 21, 1974 in Tucson. Sonny enjoyed hunting, fishing and spending time outdoors with his family and retired from Phelps Dodge where he worked as a locomotive mechanic. Sonny was a member of the Faith Lutheran Church of Safford and was a Shriner. He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather and brother and will be missed by all who loved him. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Richard Schmidt and sister Ginger Ankarlo. Sonny is survived by his wife Karen Schmidt, children Brandy Matthews, Virgil (Sandra) Schmidt, Jeffrey (Patricia) Schmidt, grandchildren Jerinelle, Halee, Braden, Conner, Jarret & Riley, and sisters Esther Fuehrer and Betty Hall.