Friends and family members gathered over the weekend to remember and honor Harold P. Smith. Mr. Smith passed from this life Tuesday, February 5, 2013 at his residence in Hugoton. He was 92.[it-exchange-member-content membership_ids=”485,313″]
Born July 22, 1920 at the family homestead in Stead, N.M., Harold was the last of six children born to George Washington Smith and the former Ada Anne Winchester.
Mr. Smith served in the Asiatic Pacific theatre during World War II as a Surgical Technician with the Medical Detachment of the 123rd Infantry Regiment, Illinois 33rd division. He served in both New Guinea and the Philippines during combat time.
Sgt. (T4) Smith was wounded in action near Galiano, La Union Province, Luzon, March 30, 1945 and awarded the Purple Heart. He was awarded a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster for wounds received in action near Galiano, La Union Province, Luzon, April 1, 1945.
Prior to coming back stateside, Tech Sgt. Smith was also pinned with the Silver Star, the Philippine Liberation Ribbon with one Campaign Star and the Asiatic-Pacific Ribbon with two Campaign Stars. He also received the Good Conduct medal, rifle marksman and a medical badge. Upon his discharge, November 20, 1945, he returned home to Clayton, N.M.
Harold lived most of his life in Felt, Ok. He was an active member of the Felt United Methodist Church for many years. He graduated from Felt High School in 1940. Harold received a sports scholarship to attend Panhandle A&M college where he played football for one semester, until he enlisted in the Army, thus ending his college days.
June 10, 1950, Harold and Wanda Marie Earle were united in marriage in Tucumcari, N.M. Harold and Wanda made their home in Felt where he worked as a farm labourer and ran the Mercantile Store in Felt. The couple had three of their four children during this time period.
Harold and his family left Felt in 1958 moving to Clayton, where Harold worked as a carpenter until 1966. The last of their four children was born in Clayton while the family lived there.
In 1966 the family relocated back to Felt where Harold worked for the Felt Public Schools as custodian and bus driver until his retirement when they moved back to Clayton in 1986. They made woodcrafts and traveled all over to different craft shows for several years. In October of 2012, they moved to Hugoton for health reasons.
Harold had a great sense of humor and loved to laugh. He also liked to tease. He always said, “If I don’t tease you, I don’t like you.” He was known to tell his children, “It’s better to tell the truth than to tell a lie, because punishment will double for the lie.”
Known for his generous, kind, giving and creative nature with his time, himself and his possessions, Harold was often sought out by others for help building or fixing something. He was known for his love and kindness to animals. His motto was, “Treat others as you want them to treat you.” Harold enjoyed talking to others and never met a stranger.
His favorite pasttime and hobbies included woodworking, reading, crocheting, jigsaw puzzles, gardening, eating and outdoor activities. After he retired he started growing earthworms so his grandkids could go fishing with him. Harold was best known for his woodcrafts such as rolling pins, cowboy clocks, toys and picture frames. During the past few years, he made gingerbread houses which he gave away to anyone who requested one.
Harold loved lemon meringue pie, ice cream and watermelon. He had a great love of music which started at an early age singing with his siblings Sunday afternoons and holidays. He enjoyed singing Stamps Baxter quartet songs and was often requested to sing bass for many church events. Education was very important to him and he told his children he wanted them all to get a good education so they didn’t have to work as hard as he did all his life. He got to see all four of his children graduate high school at Felt High School and go on to get further education. He was also fortunate to see all four grandsons attend college as well.
Those preceding Mr. Smith in death were his parents; two brothers, Willington and MacNeil Smith; and three sisters, Patti McDaniel, Glenna Arnett and Edith Edmonson.
Survivors include his wife of 63 years, Wanda Marie Smith of Hugoton; his four children, Janice Smith of Hugoton, Ron Smith of Goodwell, Ok., Bernard Smith and wife Sue of Hugoton and Cheryl Kottke of Lawton, Ok.; four grandsons, Samuel Smith of Goodwell, Anthony Smith and wife Jen of Liberal, Matthew Kottke of Lawton and Benjamin Smith of Goodwell; and his great grandson Jude Smith of Liberal.
Funeral services were attended Saturday afternoon, February 9, 2013 at the First United Methodist Church in Clayton with Rev. Jay Jones officiating. Burial followed in the Clayton Memorial Cemetery by Hass Funeral Directors of Clayton.[/it-exchange-member-content]