Eugene Arthur Smith, 85, of Houston, Mo., passed away Wednesday, June 20, 2012, at Texas County Memorial Hospital.
He was born July 29, 1926, in Hartshorn, Mo., to William A. Smith and Anna B Mullins. He was united in marriage to Mary Alice Harmon on July 29, 1950.
Gene was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Herman and Clarence Smith; and a sister, Lola Ruth.
He was a veteran of World War II and was a staff sergeant in the U.S. Army.
He worked for many years at International Shoe Company and was a foreman at Brown Shoe Company.
Gene enjoyed coon and deer hunting, playing shuffleboard, playing horseshoes, tending to his cattle and enjoyed watching St. Louis Cardinals baseball. He was a long-time member of the Houston Eagles Lodge and member of the Missouri State Shuffleboard Association. He was inducted into the Shuffleboard Hall of Fame Legends.
Surviving are his wife of 62 years, Mary Alice Smith; four daughters, Sandra Cook of Springfield, Mo., Kathy Earp of Success, Mo., Carol Longwell of Houston, Mo., and Cheryl Shore of Springfield, Mo.; eight grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; two sisters, Opal Helronimus and Myrtle Hagar of Yakima, Wash.; and a brother, Howard Smith of Summersville, Mo.
Services were 2 p.m. Saturday, June 23, 2012, at Evans Funeral Home with Pastor Jackie Cooper officiating. Pallbearers were Chris Kirkman, Jason Cook, Travis Cook, Steve Earp, Jeff Shore and Brent Hall. Burial with full military honors was in the Nagle Cemetery under the direction of Evans Funeral Home.
Memorials may be made to Texas County Hospice of Care. Online condolences may be sent to www.evansfh.com.
