Leonard Frazier Smith

Obituary

Leonard Frazier Smith, affectionately known as Bubba, was born on May 8, 1946, to Milton Smith, Jr. and Ruth Smith in Fontana, California. He grew up in a big military family of eight children. Bubba suffered a brain injury as an infant when his head was wedged between the iron bars of a 1940’s style baby crib. He was diagnosed with severe mental disability when he was a toddler. His mother was fiercely protective and kept him close to her side, afraid that children would tease and make fun of him. During his childhood, the family lived on many military bases including several years in Germany, then ultimately settling in San Bernardino, CA.

As a child, Bubba was adventuresome and always wandered around the neighborhood. His siblings would search for him and bring him home. However, everyone in the neighborhood watched out for Bubba. He loved tinkering with anything electronic, much to the chagrin of his parents and siblings. He would tear apart watches, radios, televisions, toys and then try to put them back together. As a teenager Bubba attended the Church of God in San Bernardino, CA and received Jesus as his savior.

At the age of 19 his beloved mother died, and his father married Marion Johnson several years later. The family moved to Seattle for a short time and then settled in San Francisco, California. His stepmother Marion was determined to have Bubba in a special learning environment. Bubba attended the Golden Gate Regional Center, a program that taught him basic life skills, how to ride the bus, work odd jobs at businesses in the city, engaged in sports, dances, and other social events. Bubba was quite an athlete and participated in many Special Olympics events running track. Bubba also attended special programs for the mentally disabled while living with his sister Debbie in Texas and art classes while living with Donna. He loved basketball, especially the L.A. Lakers and the Harlem Globetrotters. He played basketball with the fellas on the street corner of Golden Gate and Laguna. He loved western movies, painting, music, and above all Jesus Christ. Bubba was a worshipper, if you ever attended church with Bubba, you would experience the loud boisterous and infectious worship of his savior.

Bubba was deeply loved by his family and after the death of his father in 1979, he had many caregivers. His stepmother Marion cared for him for many years, then his beloved sisters and brother in laws Donna and Leonard Davis (California), Debbie and Jerry Hurndon (Texas), and Gloria and Samuel Wallace (California). He spent summers in Denver, CO with his sister Jacquie Graham to give his caregivers a break. These were cherished times because Bubba formed special relationships with his many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends who all affectionately called him Uncle Bubba. He loved children, displaying warmth and playfulness. Always the peacemaker, Bubba would often scold his siblings for arguing. Bubba’s smile was contagious. He was a truly unique individual and very friendly. He had no problem walking up to strangers and starting a conversation.

Bubba is proceeded in death by his parents, Milton and Ruth Smith, stepmother Marion Smith; his siblings, Linda Harmon, Leslie Smith, Donna Davis, his brother-in-law Leonard Davis, stepbrothers Clinton Marshall and Terry Brooks. He is survived by his siblings, Debbie Hurndon, Lanny Smith, Gloria Wallace, Jacquelyn Graham, stepbrother Clifford Marshall, and stepsister Georgina Johnson, his brother in laws, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Heaven gained a precious soul, and Bubba will be greatly missed.

Visitation at Sunset Hills Mortuary, 24000 Waalew Road, Apple Valley, CA 92307, US, on July 23, 2026, from 10:00 am to 11:00 am, followed by a Funeral Service at the same location from 11:00 am to 12:30 pm, and a Committal Service at Sunset Hills Memorial Park, 24000 Waalew Road, Apple Valley, CA 92307, US, from 1:00 pm to 1:30 pm.