Mr. Smith was born July 18, 1933 in Tell, Texas in Childress County to the late Mary Aline (Minnis) and Gaylon Bine Smith, and died Saturday, November 26, 2016 at his residence.
Mr. Smith grew up on his parents’ farm and attended Childress High School. During his time in college he joined the ROTC and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant. He graduated from Texas Tech University and was a Registered Professional Engineer of Texas. He served in the United States Air Force for two years as 1st Lieutenant and was promoted to Captain in the Reserves. On December 21,1955 he married Rosemary Cannady. He was deployed for two years on Okinawa. On returning to the United States he gained employment with Lufkin Foundries for 11 years. He then established his own company, Texas Metal Casting Company, where he worked as President and CEO until he retired. Mr. Smith loved flying, gardening and going to Colorado. He was a member of the Timberland Drive Church of Christ.
Survivors include his wife of 61 years, Rosemary Smith of Lufkin; daughters and sons-in-law, Cheryl and Richard Davis, Christi and Dale Nash, all of Lufkin; daughter, Cynthia Brunkenhoefer of Lufkin; seven grandchildren, Richard Don Davis, Alyssa Challis, Kevin McGee, James “Younger” Hill, Lindsay Hill, Logan Brunkenhoefer, and Jakob Nash; seven great-grandchildren; brother and sister-in-law, Dr. Milton L. Smith and Helen of Lubbock; sister-in-law, Peggy Fletcher of Lubbock; and numerous nieces and nephews and other relatives.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sister and brother-in-law, Corinne and Milton Cannady; and brother-in-law, Joe Fletcher. Pallbearers will be Mike Penn, Tim Beamon, Mark Pope, Monte Ramsey, Larry Davis and Joe Ruby. Honorary pallbearers will be Frank Shipley, Tim “John” Wallace, Joe Smitherman and Ted Lankford.
Memorial contributions may be made to:
American Cancer Society
212 Gene Samford Dr.
Lufkin, Texas 75904
Heart to Heart Hospice
209 Christie St.
Lufkin, Texas 75904