Lester Ray Smith

Lester Ray Smith, 86, passed away on Friday, February 19, 2016 at Huntsville Memorial Hospital with his daughters by his side. He was born on December 18, 1929 in Seminole, Oklahoma to Jesse and Edith (Murphy) Smith. Lester graduated from Weatherford High School in 1948. For 10 years Lester served in the Army National Guard Reserves. As a Master Sergeant, he commanded a Heavy Weapons platoon and was honorably discharged in November 1957. In 1952 Lester began his career with Sun Oil Co. as a young roustabout and later worked as a relief pumper in Premont, TX. In 1971 Lester was transferred to Corpus Christi’s Engineering Dept. Lester completed 34 years of service with Sun Oil while working as a District Warehouse Supervisor at Seabreeze in Chambers County. For years Lester involved himself in church by singing in the choir, teaching Sunday School, and participating in community projects sponsored by the men’s organization. Lester had been a Mason since 1964 and was ordained a deacon in the First Baptist Church at Premont, TX in 1966. After retirement, Lester and Deloris traveled with their trailer. They loved meeting family and friends at different Corp of Engineer Parks within Texas. While at home, Lester worked in the yard, “piddled” in his garage & workshop and sat on the front porch with his two Yorkies. Occasionally he played a round of golf or fished with a grandson. When weather kept him inside, Lester enjoyed jigsaw puzzles, word search puzzles, arts and crafts and watching sports. Lester is survived by his two daughters, Patty (Robert) Kubala of Jersey Village; Rita Henry of Lovelady; three grandsons, Brian Henry of Mt. Pleasant; John (Jamie) Kubala of Houston; James Kubala of Houston; two great-grandchildren, Hannah Kubala and Liam Kubala of Houston and other family members & friends. He is preceded in death by his wife, Deloris Oleta Smith; his parents, Jesse Thomas Smith and Edith Mary Belle Smith; his sister, Geneive Teel. The family of Lester Ray Smith extends their gratitude to Drs. Parmar, Sehgal and Jafri at Huntsville Memorial Hospital along with the nurses in ICU and on the 3rd floor for their dedication, compassion and excellent care. We thank Creekside’s staff in Memory Support for the kind, compassionate and respectful manner of care given to him these past ten months. To Pat Oliphant and Beverly, we are grateful for your service. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to: Alzheimer’s Association 6055 S. Loop East at Long Drive Houston, TX 77087 or a special cause dear to your heart. A graveside funeral will be held at the Antioch Cemetery to celebrate Lester’s life on Saturday, February 27, 2016 at 10:00 A.M. Visitation will begin an hour prior to the service. Antioch Cemetery is located 5 miles southwest of Lovelady on FM230. Rev. Mitchell Kleckley of First Baptist Church in Lovelady will be officiating. Full obituary may be viewed and memorial condolences made to the family at www.shmfh.com.

Lester Ray Smith

December 18, 1929 - February 19, 2016