Charles Robert Smith

Charles Robert Smith, a longtime resident of Midland, Texas, passed away peacefully on April 19th, 2025, at the age of 78. Born on October 5th, 1946, in Fort Worth, Texas, Charles spent the majority of his life in the Permian Basin, where he built a fulfilling career and a loving family.

Charles was preceded in death by his mother, Charlotte Young, his father, James Smith, and his brother, James “Butch” Smith.

His memory will be cherished by his loving wife of many years, Jackie Smith; his children, Ronnie and Melissa Smith of Tonganoxie, Kansas, Richard Smith of Midland, Texas, and Angela and Thomas Reed of Midland, Texas. He is also survived by his step-brothers, Lou Young of Lafayette, Louisiana, and Dennis Young of Crane, Texas. Charles was a proud grandfather to Christopher Reed, Nicholas Reed, Emily Reed, Kaleb Reed, Bradon Smith, Kylie Smith, and Kaycie Smith, and a delighted great-grandfather to Grayson Reed, Allister Reed, Levi Reyes, Lane Reed, Nash Reed, and Atticus McDonald.

A proud graduate of Crane High School in 1965, Charles married the love of his life, Jackie, in 1968. His professional life was dedicated to the oil industry, beginning in Crane, TX with Getty Oil Co. His career took him to Houston and Denver before bringing him back to West Texas, where he contributed his skills to Parker and Parsley, Pioneer Petroleum, and finally, Weatherford International, from which he retired in 2011.

In his retirement years, Charles generously volunteered his time at the hospital, demonstrating his caring nature and commitment to his community. He also found immense joy in spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Charles had a deep passion for baseball, enthusiastically coaching his children and grandchildren. He was a devoted fan of the Houston Astros, always relishing a victory over the Texas Rangers. Many cherished vacations were spent on the lake, fishing and always hoping to land the elusive "big one."

A funeral service to celebrate Charles’s life will be held at Ellis Funeral Home on April 25th, 2025. Visitation will take place from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM, with the service commencing at 3:00 PM. A reception for family and friends will follow.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that contributions be made to Crestview Baptist Church in Charles’s memory.