Don Smith

Don Smith after 82 years, 2 months, and 23 days on Wednesday, July 19, 2017, Don went home to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, in Clarendon.

Services were held on Saturday, July 22, 2017, in the First Baptist Church in Clarendon, with the Reverend Lance Wood, pastor, officiating.

Burial with Military Honors followed in Citizens Cemetery in Clarendon.

Arrangements were under the direction of Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.

The third of four children, Don was born on April 26, 1935, to Elbert Finas “Bert” Smith and Martha Tennessee “Tennie” Parrish Smith in Clarendon. He grew up in Clarendon, where he helped his father operate the cotton gin. Following his father’s death in 1951, he owned and operated the Dixie Dog. He attended school in Clarendon, graduating from Clarendon High School in 1953. He served in the United States Marine Corps from 1953 to 1959, where he achieved the rank of Corporal, was a Squad Leader in the Line Company, and was Checker Champion in the 3rd Marine Division.

He married Donna Ruth Magee on August 13, 1960, in McLean. They had a son, David in 1962.

Don attended West Texas State College, where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics in 1962 and his Master of Science degree in Mathematics in 1970. He worked for the Helium Research Center in Amarillo, where he operated the high-level computer programming language, Fortran. He then went to work for the Internal Revenue Service as an audit investigator. In 1976, he was awarded the Treasury Department’s emblem for 15 years of service for the United States Government. He served on the Board of Directors at the Amarillo Federal Credit Union from 1979 to 1982.

In 1981, Don moved back to Clarendon and served as the Director of Financial Aid at Clarendon College until 1997. Also in 1981, he opened his own tax business, Don Smith & Associates in Clarendon and in 1982, obtained his license to practice before the Internal Revenue Service as an Enrolled Agent. He owned and operated the tax business for 36 years until his death. He was known as Papa to his grandchildren, Taylor, Tyler, Brooke, and Trent, whom he loved very much. He was an avid game player, enjoyed swimming and most of all cherished his annual trip with his family to Fun Valley Colorado.

Don was a 49-year member of the Clarendon Masonic Lodge 700 AF & AM, where he served as a Master Mason for several years and was recently installed as Senior Steward for 2017-2018. He was a member of the Clarendon Lions Club, where he served as Program Chairman for several years. He was also a member of the Adamson-Lane Post 287 of the American Legion in Hedley, a member of the VFW Memorial Post 7782 in Clarendon, and was a longtime member of the First Baptist Church in Clarendon.

He was preceded in death by his mother, in 1998; his brother, Elbert Preston “Bert Jr.” Smith, in 1973; his sisters, Wanda Marie Smith, in 1927 and Jean Harlene Smith Phillips and her husband, Clifton Phillips, in 1980.

Survivors include his son, David R. Smith, and wife, Buffie, of Clarendon; 4 grandchildren, Taylor Smith, Tyler Smith, Brooke Smith, and Trent Smith, all of Clarendon. He is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

The family requests memorials are sent to the First Baptist Church / PO Box 944 / Clarendon, Texas 79226 or Citizens Cemetery Association / PO Box 983 / Clarendon, TX 79226.