George Wallace Smith

George W. “Wally” Smith, passed from this life on March 8, in Castle Rock, Colorado, after a long and fulfilling life. He was born to Evelyn and Claire Smith in Phoenix, Arizona, and was a graduate of Wickenburg High School and Northern Arizona University at Flagstaff. He also served in the Navy from 1957 to 1958.

In Flagstaff, Wally worked as both a fireman/EMT and police officer, two professions he would continue pursuing on a volunteer basis for many more years. Following a solid career with Shell Oil Company, Wally established his own oil and gas company, Star Oil Company, in Trinidad, Colorado in 1980. The business was very successful, eventually expanding to Colorado City, Colorado Springs, Pueblo, Grand Junction, and Utah under the Petromark Inc. brand.

Wally is remembered as a stalwart businessman with a love for travel. He loved camping and fishing the rivers and streams of Arizona and Colorado. True to his nature as a fireman, he was great at saving people and always willing to lend a hand when and where necessary. Notably, he was among the surviving descendants of Frank Wallace and George Hennessey, his grandfathers who were two of the last cowboys to work for the famed Hashknife brand in Arizona before it was sold to Babbitt Brothers in 1902.

Wally is preceded in death by his parents, his first wife, Eleanor, and his granddaughter, Patricia Lea Kelly. Survivors include his daughter and son-in-law, Jan and Corey Collins; his grandchildren Dawn Purdy, Victor Coudayre and James Coudayre and their families; his great-grandsons, Eric and Ivan Santibanez, his great-granddaughter, Elizabeth Maloney; his second wife, Barbara Espino; two step-children, Michael and Julia Espino; two step-grandchildren, Larry and Sierra Hasen; one step-great-grandchild, Eli; two cousins, Suzanne and Patricia Peterson, and a host of other extended family members.

A cemetery committal service with military honors for George will be held Monday, March 20, 2023 from 11:00 AM to 11:30 AM at Fort Logan National Cemetery, 4400 W. Kenyon Ave., Denver, Colorado. Flowers and cards may be sent in care of Larry Hasen, 144 Johnson Place, Castle Rock, Colorado, 80104.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.OlingerAndrews.com for the Smith family.