Wayne "Randy" Randolph Smith

Wayne Randolph "Randy" Smith was born November 2, 1945 in Marlin Texas, to Rev. Wayne and Eleanor Jo Smith. He went to be with the Lord on December 19, 2018 in Plano. Randy’s parents were living in Stockdale at the time of his birth at his grandparents’ home in Marlin. In 1946, the family moved to Dilley, where his sister Gwen was born. In 1952, they moved to Yoakum, where sister Cherry was born, and in 1956, the family moved to San Angelo, where their brother Kendall was born. Randy always took his big brother role very seriously.

Prior to entering 8th grade, Randy’s dad was appointed to the Methodist church in Mercedes, where Randy spent many happy years. He played football & ran track, sang in the choir, participated in drama and was active in Sea Scouts. After his junior year, he joined the family in Taft, where he graduated in 1964. The family then moved back to San Angelo, and Randy attended Angelo State University for 2 years, before transferring to UT in Austin. Before earning his BS in Psychology, Randy joined VISTA (Volunteers In Service To America) and worked in the slums of Harlem during the summer. He particularly enjoyed his work with at-risk youth through the Police Athletic League. Continuing his life of service, he then joined the Peace Corps, hoping to be sent to a country where he could use the French he learned in high school. However, he was sent to El Salvador, and given a crash course in Spanish on the island of Puerto Rico before going to his assignment in community development. Randy loved El Salvador and stayed there for several years after his Peace Corps service was up. Always the adventurer, he took a motorcycle trip throughout South America at this time. However, when the political situation became too dangerous he came back to the states, settling in the Dallas area, with a job at Corporate Benefit Systems. During this period, he married Sue North and they had their only child, Clark Wayne Smith.

Randy continued to live in the home he and Sue had bought in Richardson, as he was married briefly to Erica ten Eyck and Jennifer Santiago di Friez, and continued his career in sales. He was active in the choir and Sunday School at 1st UMC Plano. Randy lived a life of serving others throughout his life. He never met a stranger, and he never turned down a request for help. His home was always open to anyone who needed a place to stay. He used his fluent Spanish to translate in numerous situations, including in the company he and some friends founded to help immigrants with legal issues. About 6 years ago, deteriorating health caused him to have to give up his home and move to an assisted living facility. Recently his home has been in the Landmark Healthcare nursing home. Despite this, he always displayed a cheerful attitude. His faith remained strong, and until a few months ago, he continued to attend services at his home church in Plano The family is grateful for the church volunteers who provided transportation for him to do this for so many years. We are also grateful to his cousins David & Kathy Barrow and son John, who lived nearby, for all the extra care and attention they gave to Randy during his years of poor health.

Randy was preceded in death by his son, Clark, and his parents, Wayne & Jo Smith. Surviving Randy are his sister Gwen Gabriel, sister Cherry Crawford & husband Daniel, brother Kendall Smith & wife Laura, and numerous nieces and nephews and their families.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday, December 27, 2018 at Memorial United Methodist Church at 6100 Berkman Drive in Austin, Texas.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to 1st United Methodist Church, Plano.