Our hearts break as we say goodbye to Con Sterling Smith, 81, of El Paso, Texas who passed on July 17, 2026. Con was born August 3, 1944, in Crawford, Nebraska to Sterling and Louise Smith, the fourth of their five children.
He is preceded in death by his parents Sterling and Louise, and siblings Jewell and Wayne. He is survived by his wife, Laurie Jordan Smith, his children Justin (Karina Michelle), Jamie (James Jr.) and Jonathan (Rachel), and grandchildren (James III, Fatima, Justin Jr. and Jordan), his siblings George and Virginia and numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.
After graduating high school and business college, he answered the call of his country and joined the United States Navy in November of 1965. He served 4 years and was honorably discharged in December of 1969. He spent most of his Navy years serving on the USS Grampus (SS523), a Tench-class diesel-electric submarine, as cook.
After he took his leave of the Navy, he returned to his first love, baking. He worked for different companies until eventually acquiring Cox’s Bakery in the early 1980s and owned and operated the El Paso location until December of 2020, when it closed permanently.
During his many years and especially his retirement, his love was the garden, which contained as many flowers and vegetables that he could encourage to thrive in the El Paso heat. In honor of his love of the garden and wearing of Hawaiian shirts, we welcome everyone to wear colorful Hawaiian attire to his service.
Your presence and support during this difficult time mean the most to our family. If you would like to honor Con’s memory with a gift, the family welcomes donations to the Keystone Heritage Park (https://keystoneheritagepark.com/newsite/about-keystone/donate/ ), or a donation to your favorite non-profit animal shelter, as his dogs were very beloved to him.
Visitation will be held Wednesday August 5, 2026 from 6:00 to 9:00 pm at Funeraria del Angel Central, 3839 Montana Avenue, El Paso, Texas 79903. A short visitation will also be held Thursday August 6, 2026 from 9:00-9:30 am, with procession to follow to Fort Bliss National Cemetery, 5200 Fred Wilson Ave. El Paso, Texas 79906.
The family welcomes friends to both visitations and to the cemetery.
