R. L. Smith

R. L. (Smitty) Smith, 75, passed away August 18, 2012 at his home in Mineral Wells surrounded by his family and friends. He was born October 12, 1936 in Avery, Texas the son of Era Ray and Lorteen French Smith. He married Kathy Young on November 12, 1978 in Gainesville, Texas. He was a longtime resident of Mineral Wells and a Southern Baptist. He worked in Alaska in the oil field for many years and that is where he met his wife. He brought her to Texas and made a Texan out of her. He loved hunting and fishing. He was a prankster and loved family and friends. Anybody who knew him will tell you that he had the spirit of life upon him. Nobody lived life more full than Smitty. The way he showed his love for others was by making them laugh. He would plan for days to play a trick on somebody he loved. He had contagious laughter that would make a stranger feel he knew him forever. He loved entertaining for groups that he could cook for. He loved his beloved Rebel (dog) who was there till the very end with Smitty. He had the talent of raising animals: baby deer, squirrels, skunks, hogs, and calves. Services will be 10 AM Tuesday, August 21, 2012 in the Baum-Carlock-Bumgardner Chapel with Chaplain Terry Mitchell officiating. Burial will follow in Sturdivant Cemetery. The pallbearers will be Roy Burns, Michael Callis, Ed Fowler, J. R. Holloway, Jackie Langham, Tom Preston, Dennis Smith, and Jerald Smith. The honorary pallbearers will be Raymond Burns (in-spirit), and Richard Ratcliff. He is survived by his wife of 34 years and the love of his life: Kathy Smith of Mineral Wells, children and spouses: Ricky and Cindy Smith of Bridgeport, Terry and Leandra Smith of Run Away Bay, Jodie and Doug Parrish of Belleville, Illinois, Julie and Scott Weber of Freeburg, Illinois, grandchildren: Niki, Natasha (in-spirit), Ty, Camden, Corrine, Jayce, Olivia, Torrie, and Vanessa, sisters: Marie Langham of North Richland Hills, Wilma (Jo) Loughmiller of Lampasas, Jeannie Callis of Argyle, sisters-in-law: Nancy Bechtel and husband Alan of Mohnton, Pennsylvania, Judy Sommer and husband Steve of New River, Arizona, and numerous other family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother and sister-in-law: James and Edith Smith, sister: Francis Montgomery, and sister and brother-in-law: Lil and Howard Hillstrom.Special thanks to Lois and Jerald, Jo, Judy, Lisa, and many friends that have stepped in to guide us threw the transition.