Sam Henry Smith

Sam Henry Smith passed away after a long brave fight with heart disease. He lived his life with consideration, patience, kindness and a lot of love. Sam was born and raised in Abilene Texas. He was a graduate of the University of Texas with a Bachelor / Masters of Philosophy and a Masters in Community and Regional Planning. He married his childhood sweetheart Mary Francis Hiatt in 1946. He enlisted in the army and had a career that spanned 30 years; serving in WWII, the Korean and Vietnam wars. Sam retired as a Colonel from the Pentagon in 1974. In 1977 Sam and Mary moved back to Austin and he became the Director of the Texas State Board of Professional Tax Examiners. He retired from the State of Texas in 1993. Sam was a "Renaissance Man" who loved art, classical music and wrote poetry that bared his heart and soul. He was an intellect, a philosopher, a debater, a teacher, and a photographer. He loved nature, animals, swimming and was an avid gardener (we are talking yard of the month). His sense of humor and kind nature touched everyone he met. If you were to ask Sam what he was most passionate and proud of, he would say it was his family. For more than 61 years he shared a loving relationship with his wife Mary that will transcend all eternity. They shared a unique bond, a love for friends and family, and an adventurous spirit that always kept them planning the next trip to a faraway land. Sam was an encouraging, and a patient Dad to Mark Smith, Sherry Hogue, Holly Vatter and David Smith. His grandkids will remember him for good advice and playfulness. He was the shark in the pool and the cowboy in the woods. He was Granddaddy to Joe Smith, Justin Vatter, Dylan Hogue, Alison Vatter, Travis Smith, Devin Hogue, Will Smith, Sally Smith and Zeb Smith. He was the very proud Great Granddaddy to Madison Hogue. Sam was preceded in death by his parents W.E Smith and Edna Kelsey Smith and his sister Billie Wilmesmeier who loved and adored her little brother. Special thanks to everyone at the Plaza at Querencia who showed such grace in caring for Sam. Their devotion and consideration of his needs exceed any job description. A celebration of Sam's life will be held on Saturday Sept 6, at 11:00 AM in the Smith Chapel at Riverbend Church with Dr. Gordon Smith officiating. In lieu of flowers, please donate to either, Therapy Pet Pals of Texas, Inc. 3930 Bee Cave Road, Suite C, Austin, Texas 78746, 512-347-1984 or American Heart Association, 1700 Rutherford Road, Austin, Texas 78754, 512-433-4000. "Eternity is not an endless horizontal line. Eternity is deep, down to the bedrock of love, soul, heart, mind, God, all else. I have lived forever many times" Sam Smith