Sidney S. Smith

Sidney S Smith, long-time Austin resident and husband of the late Bert Kruger Smith, died after a long and interesting life. He was in his 102nd year.

Smith had been a newspaperman, realtor, publisher, jeweler, artist, and runner. He was vitally interested in the political scene, although never an active candidate for any office until he ran for Congress at age 95 with the campaign slogan “At 95, Who Needs Term Limits”.

Smith, a liberal Democrat, was one of the first realtors to advocate integrated housing in Austin and nominated the first black member for the Austin Board of Realtors. He served as President of the Board in 1958. A strong advocate for open housing, he publicly opposed the position of the Board of Realtors in the early 60’s.

He was born in St. Louis, MO, December 24, 1910, to immigrant Russian-Jewish parents, Jake and Sarah Smith (nee Semeter). He attended Soldan High School in St. Louis and graduated from the University of Missouri school of journalism in 1932.

He finally got his first newspaper job for room, board, and laundry on the St. Elmo, IL Banner, thence to the Sparta, IL News-Plaindealer. He came to Texas in 1935 as a reporter with the Port Arthur News, then became a courthouse reporter for the Wichita Falls Post. Smith and his wife, the former Bertha Mae Kruger, were married in Houston, TX, January 19, 1936. In 1936, he and his wife, Bert Kruger Smith, started writing their way around the world, taking them to Juneau, Alaska, and The Dalles, OR, among other places. A detour in 1940 found Smith in the jewelry business, but a decade later Smith and his wife bought a foundering daily newspaper, the Coleman, TX, Daily Democrat-Voice.

The death of Jared Burt Smith, 6, the Smiths’ second child, with polio in June, 1949, caused the family to take a second look at life. With his wife at his side, the Smiths produced a prize-winning daily newspaper. But while it was an artistic success, it was not financially profitable. After 15 months, Smith was cured of his newspaper virus, and the family returned to Austin, where he entered the real estate business.

Smith was active in the Austin Board of Realtors, the University Area Kiwanis Club, and a member of Temple Beth Israel. He remained active in the real estate business into his 90’s.

In 1982, he became interested in life-drawing and produced several hundred drawings which were enjoyed by his friends and were sold by galleries. He also began running the Capital 10K race in 1982 at the age of 72 and completed the race each year until age 98. He acquired trophies for age group wins up to age 95 plus.

He is survived by his son, Sheldon S Smith and wife Joy of Scottsdale, Arizona, his daughter Sarann (Randy) Huke and husband John of Austin, Tx, four Grandsons, Stacy Jared Smith and wife Holly of Los Gatos, CA, Russell Alan Smith and wife Jill of Austin, TX, Jared Campbell Huke of Shanghai, China, and Graham Smith Huke of San Antonio, TX. There are five great grandchildren, Ryan Jared Smith, Hannah Nicole Smith, Kaileigh Alexandra Smith, Alexis Kathryn Smith, and Abigail Elizabeth Smith. The family wishes to thank his long time caretakers, Hanan El Amin and Chris Horton and his friend Emily Freede for helping him achieve his goal of reaching 100 plus years.

Pallbearers will be his four grandsons, Stacy Smith, Russell Smith, Jared Huke, and Graham Huke, his son, Sheldon Smith, his son-in-law John Huke, his great grandson Ryan Smith.

A Graveside Service will be conducted at two o’clock in the afternoon on Sunday, the 27th of November 2011, at Oakwood Cemetery, Austin, Texas by Rabbi Steven Folberg officiating. A reception will follow at Sid’s home, 5818 Westslope Drive, Austin, Texas 78731.

In lieu of flowers and customary remembrances, the family suggests donations be made to Austin Groups for the Elderly, co-founded by Bert Kruger Smith.

Condolences may be sent to www.cookwaldenfuneralhome.com.