Thomas Wilbur Schmittou

Lt. Col. Thomas Wilbur Schmittou, age 92, of Almo, Kentucky, passed away on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, at the Spring Creek Rehabilitation Center in Murray, Kentucky.

Mr. Schmittou was born on May 2, 1933, in Hopkinsville, Kentucky to the late Wilbur Schmittou and Ruby Pauline (Humphreys) Schmittou. He retired as a Lt. Col. in the United States Air Force after serving 21 years, including in the Korean and Vietnam Wars. At the time of his retirement in 1973, he had more supersonic flying time than any other RSO/Navigator in the U.S. Air Force. He flew combat missions for the Air Force in the SR-71 Blackbird Aircraft over North Vietnam for 5 consecutive years. In addition, he was a retired real estate agent and appraiser, and he was of the Christian Faith.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Joanne Marie (Sacco) Schmittou; one son, Tommy Schmittou; three sisters, Imogene Morris, Irene Hensley, and Wilma Guinn; as well as their husbands, two infant brothers, and one great grandchild.

Survivors include two daughters, Denise Schmittou and husband Darrin Samborski of Murray, Kentucky and Sharon (Schmittou) Coffield and husband Tom of Rancho Mirage, California; one son, Tony Schmittou of Almo, Kentucky; three grandchildren, Audra (Coffield) Patrick and husband Kevin of Fontana, California, Nicole Schmittou of New York, New York, and Jason Coffield and wife Christina of Redlands, California; six great-grandchildren, Gregory Coffield, Christopher Coffield, Elizabeth Coffield, Emelia Patrick, Lilah Patrick, and Wyatt Patrick; as well as several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Visitation will be held from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., Sunday, March 22, 2026, at the J.H. Churchill Funeral Home & Cremation Services. A graveside service will follow at 2:00 p.m., Sunday, March 22, 2026, at the Green Hill Memorial Gardens in Hopkinsville, Kentucky with Rev. Tim Palmer officiating.

In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy can be made to the favorite charity of your choice in honor of Mr. Schmittou or the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8516.

Online condolences can be made at, www.jhchurchill.com