Charles Thomas Smith

Charles “Charlie” Thomas Smith of Pueblo, Colorado, completed his long, colorful, well-lived journey and took his final bow on St. Patrick’s Day, March 17th, 2026, apropos of his flair for timing. He was 90 years old, though he’d insist he didn’t look a day over 70 “from the right angle.” Charlie packed more life, stories, and sharp one-liners into his nine decades than most people could manage in several lifetimes.

Born in Fort Worth, Texas on January 8th, 1936, Charlie started life with a good voice, a sharp mind, and a mischievous streak that never faded. As a young man, Charlie toured with the Texas Boys Choir and spent several summers working at Luccock Park Camp near Yellowstone, discovering two lifelong passions: travel and the great outdoors.

Charlie earned an English degree from Texas Tech, a foundation that served him well as a master wordsmith — a skill he wielded with precision, humor, and the occasional acerbic jab. Before settling into his legal career, Charles worked some in the Texas oil fields, then joined the United States Marine Corps in 1959 as an officer and achieved the rank of Captain. He served on active duty until 1963, continuing in the Marine Corps Reserves until 1970. He remained a Marine in attitude forever: direct, disciplined and allergic to nonsense.

After his active duty, Charlie earned his law degree from SMU and became a member of the Texas Bar Association. He spent his career as a contracts lawyer — a job perfectly suited to a man who loved words, precision, and winning arguments. Traveling and working across five continents negotiating with a sharp mind, a steady hand, and a vocabulary that could both charm and disarm — depending on what the situation required. You always knew where you stood with Charlie, and if you didn’t, he’d tell you.

Charlie lived life with gusto and a twinkle in his eye. He was an avid fly fisherman, hunter, and snow skier — though fly fishing was his truest passion. He was a great cook, a lover of fine food, and a man who appreciated a good cigar paired with a proper dram of Scotch and a dance partner who could glide across a floor with surprising grace. He was a witty storyteller, told jokes delivered with a perfectly timed smirk, a prank enthusiast who possessed a dry, acerbic wit that could make you laugh even when you knew you shouldn’t.

Charlie never gave up on love, and eventually found his perfect match — his beloved Ellen Margaret Ann. Their marriage of more than 30 years was filled with laughter, travel, and good food. Together they built a life full of warmth and humor. He missed her deeply and now joins her again, no doubt with a Scotch in hand.

He was preceded in death by his parents, James and Hazel Smith; his older brother, Buster; his younger sister, Kay; and his wonderful wife, Ellen Margaret Ann.

He is survived by his daughter, Victoria Marie Atamer; his stepson, David MacDonald; his step-grandson, Craig MacDonald; his nieces and nephews Jimmy, Mike, Diana, and Eddie; and his loyal black Labrador, Shadow.

Charlie leaves behind a legacy of humor, adventure, and a life lived unapologetically, entirely on his own terms.

A funeral service with honor guard will be held at Greenwood Park & Mausoleum on April 11th, 2026 at 2:00 PM. Family and friends are invited to celebrate Charlie’s extraordinary life, share stories, and perhaps raise a glass of Scotch in his memory — he would have insisted.