Harold Smith
Obituary
Harold (Smitty) Smith, 94, died at
Schowalter Villa on Friday (Aug. 4, 2017) in Hesston due to natural
causes.
Harold was born on Sept. 28, 1922, in
Moulton, Alabama, to his parents, Luther and Lula Smith. He attended
Moulton High School for two years before joining the Army Air Corps
in 1940 at the age of 17. He served in World War II from 1940 to
1945, having flown 22 missions as a waist gunner on B-17s. He was a
Staff Sargent when receiving an honorable discharge in July 1945.
He married Thelma R. Ratzlaff on June
4, 1943, in Jackson, Mississippi, while serving in the Army Air
Corps. After his discharge, he and Thelma moved to Hutchinson, where
he worked for Southwestern Bell Telephone Company. Later, he ran a
Sinclair Service Station, then worked for the Farmer's Commission
Company in Hutchinson.
After farming for a couple of years at
the home place in Moulton, Alabama, he returned with his wife and two
boys to Hutchinson. He worked again for the Farmer's Commission
Company, as well as American Investors Insurance and Southwurth
Printing in Hutchinson. He retired from the CO-OP in Pratt and moved
to Muskogee, Oklahoma, in 1982 and later to Wagoner, Oklahoma, in
1984. He and Thelma moved to Hesston in 2006, where he lived until
his death.
Harold loved to play golf and even won
some tournaments. He also loved to fish, played church softball and
was a good bowler. He was an avid Rook player (perhaps a fanatic). He
loved K-State football and supported his boys in their sporting
activities. Don't think he ever missed a Buhler High School football
game when Jim and Richard played there. He also served on the Buhler
school board. Harold loved collecting coins and accumulated a
marvelous coin collection.
Smitty is survived by his sons, Jim
(Mary Lee Wiens) of Hesston, Richard (Joleen) of Hutchinson, Kevin of
Merriam and Lindsay (Katie Kingery-Page) of Manhattan; his brother,
Dwight of Reno, Nevada; eight grandchildren; and 10
great-grandchildren.
Harold was preceded in death by his
parents; wife, Thelma; two daughters-in-law, Dianne and Priscilla;
two brothers, Grant and Maynard; and three infant children.
There will be a visitation from 5 to 7
p.m. Monday (Aug. 7, 2017) in the Chapel at Schowalter Villa. Mr.
Smith will be buried in a private ceremony on Tuesday (Aug. 8, 2017)
morning. A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday at the
Schowalter Villa Chapel. All are invited to attend the memorial
service. Should you want to provide a memorial gift, please donate to
the Schowalter Villa Good Samaritan Fund.
