John Tolbert Smith passed away February 15, 2019 in Bedford, Texas at the age of 81. A celebration of John’s life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on February 21, 2019 at Bellevue Baptist Church in Hurst, Texas. Burial will follow at Bluebonnet Hills Memorial Park in Colleyville, Texas. The family wishes to thank the generations of friends, relatives and neighbors who have been supportive during his life. All are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from 6-8 p.m. on February 20, 2019 at Bluebonnet Hills Funeral Home in Colleyville, Texas.
John was born November 4, 1937 in Breckenridge, Texas, the third child of Tolbert and Dorothea Leona McGlasson Smith. In 1958, he married his high school sweetheart and love of his life, Mary Ann Weber, in Sonoma, California. John and Mary Ann lived in California for two years while John served in the U.S. Navy at Skaggs Island. They eventually settled in Hurst, Texas in 1967.
As a young man, John entered into the Electrical Power Grid business, a profession in which he thrived for the rest of his life, spending 43 years in four companies. John also spent two years as a volunteer Fireman in McCamey, Texas. In the second half of his life, John was voted President of North Texas Square and Round Dance Association, and granted a scholarship to Square Dance Callers College by North Texas Callers. He was published in a spring issue of the “Sets in Order” National Magazine article about a Square Dance Caller.
John was very active in church functions. He wrote a poem titled, “Hold God Dear” which was published in the Texas Baptist Standard. John was voted “Father of the Year” in 1973, and served as an ordained Deacon beginning in 1974. He volunteered for the Bellevue Child Development Center, and served the Senior Adult ministry at Bellevue Baptist Church. John also volunteered at “NEED” in the Hurst community.
John was very proud of his volunteer time as a DFW Airport Ambassador. He was named “Ambassador of the Month” two times, and in 2010 named DFW Airport “Outstanding Ambassador.” John was also very proud of his community involvement, and in 2006 was appointed place #5 Board member of the Hurst Senior Citizens Advisory Board. John stayed busy at the Senior Center admission desk for monthly dances and on movie days.
To our Dad, sleep well, and know you are sorely missed! John is survived by two loving children, Stan Smith and his wife Colleen, and Shelli Smith Landers and her husband Michael; Son-in-Law, Dave Landry; Sister, Sally Rhue Smith Wescott; Sister-in-Laws, Mona Smith and Peggy Smith; Grandchildren, Nathan Smith and his wife Lakeidea, Matthew Landers and his wife Cara, Sarah Gordon and her husband Cody, Andrew Smith, and Lauren Landers and her fiancé Drew Isom; Great-Grandchildren, Lexie Gordon, Emily Gordon, Alexia Smith, Wes Landers, and Walker Landers; and many nieces and nephews.
John is preceded in death by his wife Mary Ann Smith; daughter, Sherrilyn Sue Smith Landry; son, Shannon Dale Smith; brothers, Scott McGlasson Smith and Gerald James Smith; Parents, Bert and Dot Smith.
If you wish to send floral condolences in honor of John, you may call Dr. Delphinium Designs and Events, 214-525-1284.
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