Douglas Schmick
Schmick, Douglas, 68, Oct. 10, 1947 to June 14, 2016
Doug Schmick passed away peacefully Tuesday, June 14, 2016, at his home in Portland of complications from multiple myeloma. He was 68 years old. Doug is survived by his daughter, Sonya; son-in-law, Chad; son, Rory; daughter-in-law, Kate; and grandchildren, Emrie, Arden, Dean, and Dylan. Doug was born Oct. 10, 1947, in Colfax, Wash. He was the first of three children born to Donald and June Schmick. Doug spent his childhood baling hay on his family's wheat farm, roaming the hills and fields of the Palouse with his brothers, and anchoring the offensive line as the center for the Colfax High School Bulldogs. He attended the University of Idaho, where he bonded with his fraternal brothers of Lambda Chi Alpha and met his future wife and love of his life, Melanie Jeffries. The two wed Nov. 29, 1969, in McCall, Idaho, and were married for 45 amazing years. After graduating with a degree in business, Doug spent the early days of his marriage to Melanie exploring the American West in a Volkswagen Microbus. They ultimately settled in Portland, where a help-wanted sign in the window of Jakes's Famous Crawfish led to a successful 38-year partnership with Bill McCormick. Together, Doug and Bill grew the business from a single restaurant with 37 employees to over 90 seafood restaurants spanning every major market in the U.S., creating jobs for over 8,000 employees and impacting countless more with various charitable works in the markets they served. In recent years, Doug enjoyed serving on the boards of three restaurant groups: Anthonys Coal Fired Pizza, The Cheesecake Factory, and Chuys Holdings. He counted his biggest success, however, to be his family. Doug was a dedicated and loving husband, father and grandfather. Nothing brought him more joy than hosting family gatherings, attending his grandchildren's soccer games, and exploring obscure restaurants and bars with his beloved Melanie. Doug's funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 25, 2016, at St. Matthew Lutheran Church, 10390 S.W. Canyon Road, Beaverton, OR 97005. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Doug's favorite charity, the Portland Rescue Mission, www.portlandrescuemission.org
Notes
Doug Schmick's paternal grandfather, Conrad George Schmick, was born in the Volga German colony of Yagodnaya Polyana on July 16, 1892. He immigrated to the United States in 1900 with his first wife, Catharina Weitz, who died in 1920
Sources
"Douglas Schmick Obituary". The Oregonian, June 17, 2016.
U.S. Federal Censuses, Ship arrival manifest, Washington marriage and death records - Accessed on Ancestry.com
U.S. Federal Censuses, Ship arrival manifest, Washington marriage and death records - Accessed on Ancestry.com
Last updated October 7, 2025