Arthur Eugene Smith

March 25, 1933. a time that was seeing the first original version of the silent movie, Reds favorite movie King Kong, America was ushering in Franklin Delano Roosevelt for his first term in office, Roy Everett Smith and Bernice Owens Knight gave birth to what would be their middle son Arthur Eugene Smith, to add to the already bustling population of 635 in Galena Missouri, Roy and Bernice

When Arthur got some hair it was Strawberry red which led to his nickname “Red” during this time the country was in the mist of the great depression, Soon after His Birth Roy & Bernice moved west, when he was just 3 months of age they set off west with Red as well as his older brother Ferman Leroy, taking over two weeks to make the trip.

Finding residence in Culver City, Inglewood area, soon to be joined by his younger brother Joseph Paul Smith, by 5 years old they were carefree boys who often went to the movies, on one Saturday a kid stuck out his leg and tripped Red, a full out fight in sued between the 2 boys and their friends, they all got thrown out of the theater.

That fight along with those boys changed the trajectory of all their lives for what had started as a brawl soon turned into a lifelong friendship, by the time the boys got thrown out they were all laughing, over the next few weeks became fast friends, those kids were Mike, Sammy, and Manny Asadurian, soon thereafter they all became inseparable friends that remained close till the end.

Sammy and Manny had a little sister Gladys, who was between 1 and 2 but for as long as she could remember she would say she found him to be so hansom she was smitten early, asking Red to get married, he just smiled. After all she was only 4 and he 8 so any planning would have to wait.

By 9 years old he was working with, and practically living with the Asadurian Family, when he was enlisted in the service to serve in Korea conflict he served for 4 years, During this time suffering from the loss of his Father before being Honorably Discharged at 19 years old, returning home he soon was greeted by his childhood sweetheart Gladys who was now 16 and still eager to get married to this gorgeous man. So on March 1 1953 they said there I do’s and spent 62 happy years together.

Now days you here of things like Bucket lists, well our dad had no list, I think that is because he never wanted for much other than a Loving family that felt safe, loved, and most of all encouraged to follow their dreams and be happy, so when Red and Gladys welcomed their family’s additions including Danny, Dennis and Duke. It was no surprise that they lathered their children, not with gifts of gold, nor did they brutalize them with discipline, Red and Gladys raised their children the best way they could, the way they were raised, with Love and Compassion.

In his final years his true joy came from simple things, a trip to Las Vegas to gamble and see his Angela, and Dennis Jr. or spending time with his Daniel and Tony, watching them grow or watching Daniel and Tony as they danced at Daniels 15th Birthday party, this is what brought him joy.

Proceeded to heavens by his parents, his brother Leroy, his son Danny, Red is survived by Brother Joseph Smith of Houston Texas, Son Dennis as well as Cathie his beautiful wife from Simi Valley, CA. along with their children Angela and Dennis Jr. Youngest son Duke and his partner Joe Vega-Smith along with their sons Daniel and Tony, Danny’s children Joshua, Julie and Jody Smith of Palm Desert, not to mention many Nephews and Nieces that he truly loved spending time with, one of Reds favorite memories was when he took them out to Muntz lake, then left them on the little island in the middle.

Red was a good man, an honest man who had extraordinary values. His other extraordinary ethic came in to play with his family, he and Gladys were always like glue, and some would call it codependent. But they were only codependent to the point that an engine is codependent on the transmission, they both need each other to make a move but once they are going it is flawless. Gladys, that little girl that 74 years ago asked Red to get married, Through the years, the baggage that comes with weathering the storm of life they made it into special clubs that you cannot buy membership to, the club of a long life as well as happy marriage, and they did it all with each other.

Now as we bid Farwell, We thank you, we appreciate you, we will carry your memory Proudly