1922
Joe
2011
Joe S. Smith Jr.
September 21, 1922 — May 30, 2011
Joe S. Smith Jr., 88 of Amarillo passed away on May 30, 2011.
Mr. Smith's funeral service will be at 10:00 AM Friday, June 3, 2011, at Pleasant Valley Methodist Church, 316 Valley Ave. in Amarillo, TX. with Rev. Landrum Medlock and Rev. Nancy Moore officiating. Graveside services will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery. Arrangements are by LaGrone-Blackburn-Shaw Martin Road Chapel, 1505 Martin Road, Amarillo, TX
Joe was born on September 21, 1922 in Childress, TX to Joe S. Smith, Sr. and Dorothy May Mitchell on the Smith Farm and Ranch. He attended school in Childress until his senior year, where he graduated from Wellington High School. Joe always had a special interest in aircraft and becoming a pilot, which led him to receive his private flying license at the age of 18. He then enlisted in the United States Army on October 12, 1942 serving in the Air Corp. He fulfilled his lifelong wish of being a pilot at that time. He achieved the rank of M/Sgt, F/O and 2nd Lt. Joe was honorably discharged from the service on May 16, 1955. While in the service he met Kathryn Boucher at a skating rink in Columbus, Miss. They were married in Columbus on August 25, 1945. She preceded him in death on June 30, 2006.
Joe was employed at a variety of places throughout his lifetime including: FW&D Railroad, Minneapolis Moline, Oliver Case and Kubota Tractors, where he was employed for 15 years, retiring in 1985. There he received many awards and commendations. At one time he was ½ owner of the Oliver and New Holland Dealership and a service station in Amarillo. He resided in the communities of Carlsbad, Roswell, Hereford and Hutchinson, KS before moving back to Amarillo in 1971. He was a member of the VFW, Lion’s Club and Pleasant Valley Methodist Church. At the church he was a member of the Methodist Men. He was a founder of DRESS, which was a daycare center at the church. He was very proud of this organization, the children referred to him as “Pop.” He was especially saddened when the daycare eventually closed its doors.
His survivors include; daughter, Margie Waddell and husband Troy of Amarillo; son, Larry Smith and wife Jeanne of Wilbraham, MA; daughter, Cindy Yarber and husband Jeff of Amarillo; grandchildren, Craig Waddell and wife Angie, Darren Waddell and wife Natalie, Brian Smith and wife Amy, Cory Smith, Shelby and Lewis and husband Brian and Ashley Yarber and 6 great grandchildren
In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial donations to: The Youth Department at Pleasant Valley: 316 Valley Ave. in Amarillo, TX, 79108.
Mr. Smith's funeral service will be at 10:00 AM Friday, June 3, 2011, at Pleasant Valley Methodist Church, 316 Valley Ave. in Amarillo, TX. with Rev. Landrum Medlock and Rev. Nancy Moore officiating. Graveside services will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery. Arrangements are by LaGrone-Blackburn-Shaw Martin Road Chapel, 1505 Martin Road, Amarillo, TX
Joe was born on September 21, 1922 in Childress, TX to Joe S. Smith, Sr. and Dorothy May Mitchell on the Smith Farm and Ranch. He attended school in Childress until his senior year, where he graduated from Wellington High School. Joe always had a special interest in aircraft and becoming a pilot, which led him to receive his private flying license at the age of 18. He then enlisted in the United States Army on October 12, 1942 serving in the Air Corp. He fulfilled his lifelong wish of being a pilot at that time. He achieved the rank of M/Sgt, F/O and 2nd Lt. Joe was honorably discharged from the service on May 16, 1955. While in the service he met Kathryn Boucher at a skating rink in Columbus, Miss. They were married in Columbus on August 25, 1945. She preceded him in death on June 30, 2006.
Joe was employed at a variety of places throughout his lifetime including: FW&D Railroad, Minneapolis Moline, Oliver Case and Kubota Tractors, where he was employed for 15 years, retiring in 1985. There he received many awards and commendations. At one time he was ½ owner of the Oliver and New Holland Dealership and a service station in Amarillo. He resided in the communities of Carlsbad, Roswell, Hereford and Hutchinson, KS before moving back to Amarillo in 1971. He was a member of the VFW, Lion’s Club and Pleasant Valley Methodist Church. At the church he was a member of the Methodist Men. He was a founder of DRESS, which was a daycare center at the church. He was very proud of this organization, the children referred to him as “Pop.” He was especially saddened when the daycare eventually closed its doors.
His survivors include; daughter, Margie Waddell and husband Troy of Amarillo; son, Larry Smith and wife Jeanne of Wilbraham, MA; daughter, Cindy Yarber and husband Jeff of Amarillo; grandchildren, Craig Waddell and wife Angie, Darren Waddell and wife Natalie, Brian Smith and wife Amy, Cory Smith, Shelby and Lewis and husband Brian and Ashley Yarber and 6 great grandchildren
In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial donations to: The Youth Department at Pleasant Valley: 316 Valley Ave. in Amarillo, TX, 79108.
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