Wendell John Smith

A memorial service for Wendell J. Smith "Smitty" will be held at the Open-Air Chapel at Kirby's Tucker Memorial Mausoleum on August 21, 2013 at 10:00 A.M. with Pastor Lewis Godby officiating. Military honors will be by the Ozark V.F.W. Post #3246 Honor Guard.

Wendell J. Smith "Smitty" went to be with his Lord and Savior, August 4, 2013. He retired to the wonderful Ozarks in July of 1994; and enjoyed the quiet wonderful Christian Community of Mountain Home. He was a member of the First Christian Church.

Wendell was born May 6, 1933 in Baraboo, Wisconsin, the son of William Carl and Myldred Smith. He attended school in Milwaukee and Baraboo, being his father was a brakeman for the Chicago Northwestern Railroad. He graduated from Baraboo High School. He served his country during the Korean War aboard the USS Hancock, USN.

He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Barbara Jean Smith; son, Michael Wayne; daughter-in-law, Ann Marie; 3 grandchildren, Kimberly, Chris and Alex; 7 great-grandchildren, Destiny, Scott and Sierra Brooks, Zoey and Timothy Tadlock, Ryleigh and Keegan Tadlock.

While living in Long Beach, California he went to work for Shell Oil and then THUMS Long Beach Company (Texaco, Humble, Union, Mobil and Shell) as a buyer/analyst until his retirement. He had a 57 year membership in his Blue Lodge in Baraboo, Wisconsin. In Long Beach, California he was a Scottish Rite 32nd degree mason... He was a member of the Order of Quetzalcoatl, with a lifetime membership and had the honor to serve as Camaxtli in 1981.

"Smitty," as he was affectionately called, never had an enemy, all wished him well because he wished the same for everyone else. He had the most wonderful smile and it radiated a room when he met you. He was a man of service; he was the man "behind the scenes" wanting to make sure everyone else was taken care of first. A more selfless, loving, giving sweet man could not be found. Smitty found strength in his personal relationship with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, to bear and withstand the trials and tribulations from a massive stroke without complaint.

His family would like to extend profound and heartfelt thanks to the staff of caregivers at Care Manor who supported him in the last year of his life.

Wendell was preceded in death by his father and mother; brothers, Lemoyne, Dale and Galan and sister, Marilyn. He leaves the following loved ones...wife, son and daughter-in-law; sister-in-law, Kathie Smith; niece, Kim Smith; nephews, Robert Smith and wife, Cheryl, Keith Johnson, Gary Johnson and wife Jeannie; cousins, Donna, Barb, Mary Ann, Chuck and Jerry; dear friends, Richard and Gladys Orton, Robert and Jean Lee, Don Lee, Phil and Lonnie Pointon, Reita and Jim McCray, Margaret and Bernie Fish, Mary and Richard Gannon and Janie Edmonds-Lewis and family.

You would honor him with any donations going to Hospice of the Ozarks, 701 Burnett Drive, Mountain Home, Arkansas 72653.

Arrangements are by Kirby and Family Funeral and Cremation Services.