Russell H. Smith

Russell H. Smith was born on March 27, 1914 in Paducah, KY, to David Earnest and Grace Howard Smith. He died in Las Cruces, NM on March 4, 2010. He married Estelle Hendricks of Bowling Green, KY in 1933 and had four sons. He was married to Estelle, the love of his life, for 68 years. Russell Smith was a man of faith, a member of the Smithfield Church of Christ in Smithfield, TX and former Elder of Western Hills Church of Christ in Fort Worth, TX. He faithfully served in prison ministry and taught as a volunteer for GED high school equivalency. He graduated from Western Kentucky State University (formerly W.K.S. Teachers College) in 1933 with a BS in physics and proceeded on a long career in chemical and manufacturing engineering with a specialty in neoprene rubber during World War II, and thereafter as an engineer for the tool and defense industries, designing conveying and material handling systems. However, he was foremost a teacher and mentor in the subjects of math and science to his sons and anyone who showed interest in these subjects. Russell and Estelle enjoyed entertaining relatives, friends and neighbors, feeding their guests and spending many hours laughing and telling stories. He enjoyed dogs and the wilderness, hunting and fishing, and would go on nature outings with anyone who would join him. But his favorite pastime was driving; he loved automobiles from classics and antiques to sports cars. Russell is survived by son Phillip Ronald Smith an wife, Mary Ellen of Las Cruces; son David Richard Smith ands wife, Lillian "Lin", of Huntington Beach, CA; son Mark Smith and wife, Glenda, of Bellaire, TX; a brother Lloyd Smith of Montgomery, AL; ten grandchildren, Brent P. Smith, Bruce T. Smith, Aleece Smith Gaughan, Gretchen Leslie Harper, Jamie Scott Smith, Michael Smith Mitsumori, Kelly Lynn Mitsumori, Amy Marie Mitsumori, Valerie Smith Hulse, and Nicole Smith; six great-grandchildren, Alicia Smith, Patrick Smith, Paul Gaughan, Amelia Gaughan, Claire Gaughan, Susan Gaughan; and another expected great-grandchild by his granddaughter, Valerie. His wife, Estelle, a son, Russell Darryl, a sister, Marguerite Taylor, and an infant granddaughter, Jennifer Pax Smith, preceded him in death. A viewing will be held from 6 PM to 8 PM on Tuesday, March 9, 2010 at Getz Funeral Home. A graveside service to celebrate her life will be at 10 AM on Wednesday, March 10, 2010 at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens Cemetery, 5140 W. Picacho in Las Cruces, NM. PDF Printable Version