Steed Arthur Smith

STEED ARTHUR SMITH JULY 27TH, 1944 – DEC 23RD, 2013 After a courageous 9 ½ year battle with cancer, Steed Arthur Smith, surrounded by his family, went to his heavenly home on December 23rd, 2013. Steed was born July 27th, 1944, to William Arthur and Marguerite Black Smith. Early in his life he lived in many places including Albuquerque, NM, Barnesville, SC and Paducah, KY to name just a few. This probably helped spawn his love of travel. After graduating from Sam Houston High School in Houston, TX, he attended SHSU and received his BS and MA degrees. While at SHSU he became a Life Loyal Member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity where he made friends that lasted a lifetime. During that time he met and married his wife of over 44 years Eddene Allen. They were blessed with two sons that he enjoyed spending time with and teaching about life. Steed truly enjoyed learning and then passing that new found knowledge along to others. He did so in the classroom, jobsite and his home. Steed also loved to travel. He was able to take special family vacations to many places around the globe including: Hawaii, Mazatlan, Honduras, Belize, Alaska, Jamaica, the Cayman Islands and a trip to Europe which included a stop at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona, Spain. They traveled from the east to west coast as well as New Brunswick and Halifax, Nova Scotia. No matter where in the world Steed was he always took an interest in the local sights, culture, art and government. One of Steed’s other passions was hunting. For over thirty years he made an annual trek to Nebraska to hunt pheasants and eat great home cooking. Steed was fortunate to hunt in Argentina and twice in South Africa. His passion for hunting wasn’t driven by the kill, but by the promise of spending quality time with his family and great friends making lifelong memories. After the death of his father in law, Steed took an active role in managing the family ranch while continuing to teach at SHSU and Lee College. He and Eddene bought and moved a turn of the century house to the ranch where they enjoyed entertaining their family and friends. He also owned and operated Huntsville Pool and Spa for over thirty years, which led to many lasting friendships. Steed served the City of Huntsville on its City Council for eight years, serving as a councilman, Mayor Pro-Tem and Interim Mayor as well as the representative for The Houston Galveston Area Council. During his tenure Raven Nest Golf Course, a new fire station, a ladder truck and Veterans Memorial Drive were opened. He was a trustee for his beloved First Christian Church where he jokingly told people he was born Baptist, joined the Methodist with Eddene, and finally became a Christian. The most precious things in his life were his “perfect” granddaughters, Lucy and Sadie. He loved to play checkers with them and take them to the ranch to fish, ride four wheelers, or just hang out. Steed is preceded in death by his father W.A. Smith, his grandparents Henry and Alice Black, grandmother Jeanette Smith Milling and father and mother in law Ed and Ola Allen. He is survived by his wife, Eddene, sons, Steed Allen, Judson Lee and his wife Karol Krystyniak Smith, granddaughters Lucy and Sadie Smith, his sisters MaDonna Smith Hendrick and husband Max, Mauricia Blair Neely and husband Bill and brother Bill Blair. He is also survived by his mother Marguerite Smith Blair, his niece Blair Neely and his nephew Trey Neely. Steed would tell you his fortune didn’t lie with monetary treasures, but with his wonderful friends and family. Whatever curve life threw at him he always took it in stride and was never bitter. When he was presented with lemons, he smiled and just made lemonade. Visitation will be Sunday December 29th, 2013 from 4-6 pm at SHMFH located at 1700 Normal Park in Huntsville, TX. A memorial service will be held at 2 pm on Monday December 30th, 2013 at the same location. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the Steed A. Smith Endowment Fund at SHSU (POB 2537, Sam Houston Station, 77340). Those wishing to leave memorial condolences for the family may do so at www.shmfh.com.

Steed Arthur Smith

July 27, 1944 - December 30, 2013