Obituary for David Louis Smith
David Louis Smith, 90, passed away January 14, 2022 in Childress.
He was born March 22, 1931 in Childress to Clarence Smith and Mary Bailey Smith. He grew up in Childress and east Texas. He was a 1949 graduate of Childress High School. He joined the Air Force in 1950 where he was stationed in Waco for four years. In 1952 he married Coleen Manuel. They resided in Waco until his discharge, when they moved back to Childress and he worked as a butcher. He had several jobs in Childress including Gage’s Grocery and Kimball’s Warehouse. Eventually he started an upholstery shop with Dewey Graham. He made many seat covers for auto dealers and folks all around Childress. He also covered furniture. Later, he worked for the railroad and then as a postal worker until retirement in 1991. He also drove a school bus for several years so all the kids knew him in those days.
He is preceded in death by his parents, a brother and sister and his son, Paul Smith, in 2001.
Survivors include his wife, Coleen, of the home; daughter Vickie Ward of Childress; son Carl Smith and wife, Liz, of Huntington Beach, California; son Tony Smith and wife, Molly, of Albuquerque, N.M.; eight grandchildren, Jack Martinez, Chelsie Colwell, Melodie Bott, Zane Martinez, Nicholas Smith, Daniel Smith, Charlotte Jacobs, Vanessa Bradley; 18 great grandchildren and one great great grandson.
He was born March 22, 1931 in Childress to Clarence Smith and Mary Bailey Smith. He grew up in Childress and east Texas. He was a 1949 graduate of Childress High School. He joined the Air Force in 1950 where he was stationed in Waco for four years. In 1952 he married Coleen Manuel. They resided in Waco until his discharge, when they moved back to Childress and he worked as a butcher. He had several jobs in Childress including Gage’s Grocery and Kimball’s Warehouse. Eventually he started an upholstery shop with Dewey Graham. He made many seat covers for auto dealers and folks all around Childress. He also covered furniture. Later, he worked for the railroad and then as a postal worker until retirement in 1991. He also drove a school bus for several years so all the kids knew him in those days.
He is preceded in death by his parents, a brother and sister and his son, Paul Smith, in 2001.
Survivors include his wife, Coleen, of the home; daughter Vickie Ward of Childress; son Carl Smith and wife, Liz, of Huntington Beach, California; son Tony Smith and wife, Molly, of Albuquerque, N.M.; eight grandchildren, Jack Martinez, Chelsie Colwell, Melodie Bott, Zane Martinez, Nicholas Smith, Daniel Smith, Charlotte Jacobs, Vanessa Bradley; 18 great grandchildren and one great great grandson.