Lon A. Smith

Lon A. Smith, Jr. passed away on April 21, 2008 after a lengthy and courageous battle with Myelodysplasia. He was preceded in death by his parents, Lon A. Smith and Kate Montgomery Smith and his ten brothers and sisters. He is survived by his loving wife of sixty-five years, Elizabeth Lyndall Meyer Smith, by his daughters, Susan Smith Dorsey and husband, Mickey of Austin and Kate Smith Manahan and husband, Jim of Houston by his grandchildren, Laura Elizabeth Dorsey and Terry Dorsey, both of Austin and by his nephews, Robert McCarty and wife, Melba of Austin and Pat Smith and wife, Cynthia of Johnson City Born in Henderson, Texas on October 22, 1919, as an infant Lon moved to Austin, Texas along with his six brothers and four sisters where his father was deeply involved in state politics, serving in both the Texas House of Representatives and Senate, as Comptroller of Public Accounts and Railroad Commissioner. Lon grew up in the First Baptist Church but later became a member of The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd where he attended services for over 50 years and taught Sunday school, served on the Vestry, as an usher and a teller. Lon attended San Marcos Baptist Academy and later the University of Texas. He was a Mason and a member of The Hill City Lodge Number 456 A.F. & A. M. Lon was active in civic events and served on the boards of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, the American Cancer Society and the Chamber of Commerce. He never missed the chance to dial for dollars during the Children's Hospital Fund raising events. While stationed in the 63rd Base Headquarters and Air Base Squadron at Gardner Army Airfield outside of Bakersfield, California as a Master Sergeant in the United States Army Air Force, Lon met the love of his life. Married on February 24, 1943, Lon sweet talked Elizabeth into leaving her home in California and returning with him to Austin where he began his career in sales at the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company. He later worked at Smith Brothers and its affiliates, ultimately retiring from Maxwell Chrysler Plymouth as its General Manager in 1988, with over 41 years of dedicated service to the Chrysler Corporation. Lon never met a stranger! He was a good-humored person who loved people, never missed the chance to tell a good story or joke and was able to maintain his sense of humor until the end. One of his favorite things to tell people was that he was fortunate enough to be born before Planned Parenthood. A tremendous void will be felt in the lives of those who knew and loved him. Honorary pallbearers are Stuart Benson, Pat Smith, Robert McCarty, James R. ("Jimmy") Bouldin, The Reverend Carroll McPherson, Susan Parker, Terry Parker and Brad Boyette. The family would like to acknowledge the wonderful care provided by the skilled staff at The Summit at Westlake and to Ace Alsup, M.D. for his long time care and friendship. The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 23rd at Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home. A memorial service will be held on Thursday, April 24, 2008 at 1:00 p.m. at The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd with The Reverends Rhoda S. Montgomery and Kelly Koonce presiding. A reception will follow the service in the Church Parish Hall. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, San Marcos Baptist Academy or the American Cancer Society.