Gordon W. Smith

Gordon W. Smith, age 91 of Little River-Academy, died Thursday, December 16, 2010 at his residence. Graveside services, with military honors, will be held at 11:00 AM Saturday, December 18, 2010 at the Greathouse Cemetery. The family will receive visitors and serve lunch at Bliss Hall in Little River-Academy after the service. Mr. Smith was born on November 27, 1919 in Travis County to the late Carl David and Adeline Blomquist Smith. He attended Elroy schools and Austin High School. Gordon married his childhood sweetheart, Lois Murchison on January 22, 1942 in Creedmoor, TX. On February 27, 1942, he was drafted in the US Army and served most of his time in the south Pacific with a medical corps attachment. Gordon was honorably discharged from the service on August 31, 1945. In 1946, he operated a dairy until he purchased it through the GI Bill of Rights. He was one of the first servicemen to actually buy land under that bill. In the early 1960's, Gordon and his son, Buddy Smith organized and developed Smith Agriculture Services, Inc. which later expanded to Maxwell, TX, Lott, TX, Eddy, TX and Little River, TX. Gordon was owner of S&W Agri Supply in Little River-Academy until his retirement due to failing health. He served on the Del Valle School Board for 6 years and was a member of the American Legion Post #133 in Temple, a charter member of VFW Post #1825 in Del Valle, a life member of VFW Post #1820 in Temple, a member of Salem Lutheran Church in Del Valle and Immanuel Lutheran Church in Temple. Gordon was preceded in death by his parents; his step mother, Adeline Smith; a brother, Leroy "Cricket" Smith and a daughter, Janice Thomas. Gordon loved dancing with Lois, playing dominoes with friends and family. He looked forward to family reunions, mainly to watch his grandchildren. Gordon was passionate about his work as long as it was outdoors under his pecan trees. He will be greatly missed by so many! Survivors include his wife of 68 years, Lois Smith of Little River; daughters, Connie Sublette and husband James of Tyler and Elaine Bigham and husband Larry of Lorena; a son, G.A. "Buddy" Smith and wife Sandy of Little River; a sister, Noraine Oehler of San Antonio; a son-in-law, James Thomas of Temple; 10 grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren. Memorials may be given in Gordon's name to the Talking Books Program, P.O. Box 12516, Austin, TX 78711-2516 or to the Greathouse Cemetery Association, 3602 Brooklawn Drive, Temple, TX 76502-1014.