Kenneth Taylor Smith Sr.

Kenneth Taylor Smith, Sr, 90, passed away at home on December 30th, 2021. Born in Paw Creek, NC, he was the middle son of Ralph L. and Gladys R. Smith. He attended the local schools and even had a cute girl carry his books for him in the 2nd grade. That would be his future wife, Patsy. In May 2021, they celebrated their 70th anniversary. He was known to say that the secret to their long marriage was beginning his Army service two weeks after the wedding!

Once out of the military, he began his career with American Oil Company in 1953. In 1964, he had an opportunity to become an Oil Jobber with Amoco, establishing Associated Oils of SC in Columbia. Two years later, the family moved to Hopkins, where there would be room for the horses that were to become his lifelong passion.

Smith had grown up helping his father pull logs out of their woods to take to the timber mill; this was when he first appreciated the power of horses. But it wasn’t just their power that he admired, he enjoyed the speed and sheer joy of being horseback.

As an adult, horses became a way of life for Ken, who saw it as an opportunity to spend outdoor time with his family. He would later become an advocate for the healthy relationships and life lessons that could be built between youth and horses. The mid-1960’s were a time of local Saturday shows that would begin with the lead-line, pony, and western pleasure classes, and end with the five-gaited stake. The family loved every bit of it, but as with many horsemen, it didn’t take long to realize that there were more opportunities out there for deeper competition.

In 1966, Ken joined the South Carolina Quarter Horse Association and began acquiring quality horses in order to compete at the regional level. One of those horses was Hanks Lasan, a top cutting horse that he purchased in Texas in the late 60’s. Another was Jungle Gardenia who was as tough in the cutting pen and pleasure classes as she was pretty in the halter classes. She later became one of his top broodmares, producing several nationally competitive foals. In 1969, he helped organize the first South Carolina group to be recognized by the National Cutting Horse Association; this was the Wateree Cutting Horse Association. A decade later, he was instrumental in starting the Atlantic Coast Cutting Horse Futurity, which would later be known as the Augusta Futurity. When his days in the cutting saddle ended, he bred his mare Off’n’On, producing several winners, including Haidas War Hero, the gelding that would win the 1994 NCHA Non-Pro Challenge with Ken Jr in the saddle.

Recognized for his strong leadership skills, Ken held many positions within the South Carolina Quarter Horse Association, being named President several times. He also earned his AQHA and NCHA judges’ cards. In 1978, he was chosen to represent South Carolina as its Director for AQHA and later became Head of the Judges Committee. In 1995, he was elected to the Executive Committee of the American Quarter Horse Association, and in 1999 became only the fourth person East of the Mississippi to be named President. His five years on the Executive Committee were beyond anything he might have imagined as a teenager riding bareback through the woods. Not only was he instrumental in setting policies for AQHA, but he enjoyed being part of a vast organization with a worldwide membership. With Patsy by his side, they traveled throughout the United States and represented the Association at many international events. In 2006, Ken was inducted into the AQHA Hall of Fame in Amarillo, Texas.

In Columbia, with his Resistol Cowboy hats and custom boots, he was instantly recognizable in a town full of men in business suits. He was a man’s man and certainly an exceptional person. Everyone knew that his family came first. He attended every event that involved his children: Ken Jr’s Saddlebred shows and high school basketball games, Cameron’s AQHA shows and cheerleading events. When he became a grandfather to Taylor and Logan, he and Patsy made sure they were as involved as any grandparents could be. In fact, everyone at Hammond School knew they could count on Ken and Patsy being in the bleachers or at a choral concert. He never missed an event for he was so very proud of his childrens’ and grandchildrens’ accomplishments.

Smith will be remembered for his stature, his leadership, his strong opinions, his great stories, and the love he had for his family. He is survived by his wife, Patsy; his daughter Cameron (Marc) Vogt of Ridgeway, SC; brother, Doug (Judy) Smith of Matthews, NC; grandsons Logan Smith of Hopkins; and Taylor (Ashley) Smith, and their children Shelton, Aspen, and Aidan, of Fayetteville, GA. He was predeceased by his parents; his older brother, Ralph Smith; and his son, Ken Smith, Jr.

Services will be held on January 5th at Greenlawn Baptist Church. The family will receive friends at 11:00 followed by a 12:00 memorial service.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the AQHA Foundation Scholarship Fund, PO Box 32111, Amarillo, TX 79120. https://www.aqha.com/-/ken-t.-smith