Bennett Lawson Smith, Jr.

Bennett Lawson Smith, Jr., age 85, of Dallas, Texas, passed away on Wednesday, October 20, 2021. Bennett was born January 7, 1936, in Fort Worth, Texas, to “Big” Bennett Lawson Smith ,Jr. and Elizabeth Thompson Smith.

During his childhood he liked to pick on his sister, Evelyn Smith, but loved her dearly. He attended Paschal High School in Fort Worth, Texas, graduating in 1954. Then he went on to attend the University of Texas, later graduating from TCU. At TCU he was a member of the Kappa Sigma fraternity and was one the founding members.

Bennett married the love of his life, Lucinda “Cindy”. They were married for 40 years, 4 months and 14 days. Bennett is survived by his wife Cindy Smith; sister, Evelyn Smith Vogel; nieces Catherine Jones and Lizann Rowell; children Bennett “Trey” Lawson Smith, III, Jimmy, Winston and Tracy Nelson; grandchildren McKeehan Smith, Lawson Smith, Arrington Nelson, Audreann Nelson, Anna Todd Nelson and Caroline Nelson.

Bennet was always there to help his family and friends and could build a home from the ground up, to completely building a racecar. His passion for life showed in the never ending adventures he shared with those close to him. Bennett’s memory will carry on through the lives of the people he touched. His enthusiasm for so many things will be remembered.

He was a member of several organizations: Steeplechase Club in Fort Worth, Wine and Food Society of Fort Worth of which his parents were among the founding members, Sports Car Club of America, Ferrari Club of America, Citroen Car Club, Antique Automobile Club of America, Early Ford V-8 Club of America and the Corinthian Vintage Auto Racing Club. He was also a supporter of the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame & Museum.

Throughout his life Bennett also enjoyed caring for his parrots, specifically Pancho, sailing on his sailboat, shooting, riding dirt bikes, scuba diving, racing cars and traveling. He and Cindy were inseparable. They had the same interests and he introduced so many things to her. He knew so much about so many different things and was considered the most interesting man in the world and we were lucky to know him and know about him.

His son Trey Smith said “With my dad it was always a learning adventure and a lesson taught. This is the legacy that is being passed down, through the way I am raising my children. We never did just the “normal”. He always was looking out for me to have experiences that the average kid didn’t and he would find a way to make it happen.”

Private services to be held in memoriam of Bennett Lawson Smith, Jr., our Daddy-o.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.Sparkman-Hillcrest.com for the Smith, Jr. family. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Dementia Society of America at dementiasociety.org