Herbert, Uncle Herb, Maj. Herbert F. Smith II, Butch – Herbert Forest Smith II was a proud man and known to many. His father, Herbert Forest Smith, yes, he was a Forest as well, long before there was a Forest Gump, was extremely proud of what his son had achieved – There are many stories of the things Uncle Herb did and many of them couldn’t be told completely because of the nature of his service to the country. Yes, my uncle had three loves, his service to the country, his electronics and his trains.
While he loved his country, his service, his computers and his trains – he truly loved his extended family. His Mother Annie L. Smith, His Father, Herbert F. Smith, His Sister Rosie S. Hale, His nephews and numerous great nieces, nephews, cousins and surrounding families – even though he did not marry or have children of his own – and his lifestyle and life was not without mystery, intrigue and stories –, that never deterred him from that which is first and foremost in his mind which was to be known as a man of intellect, character, strength, honor and service. In fact, he served as father figure to many and was loved by all.
He lived life to the fullest and helped others to do so – always ready to support, always ready with a piece of technology, always thinking about interesting projects, always ready to offer advice – even if not asked and usually associated with an ask that he deemed would teach something, always ready to take or make a phone call or have a conversation. He was a beloved uncle, brother, surrogate father, hero, and friend.
His military service included tours in Vietnam and concluded with him achieving the rank of Major, a very proud moment for him and his father. After that, he had fulfilling career in civilian life, again doing things that we were not allowed to talk about – and that always made him smile. What I do know is that he loved computers and was the person who actually got me, my first computer, a Radio Shack TRS-80 and credits himself for getting me into computers – and who am I to argue, I know I owe part of my interest and success in this field to him – Thank you, Uncle Herb. He also filled our lives with technology – from humongous TV’s, crazy game computers, email riddles & compositions, computers for the great nieces and nephews – it was always something with Uncle Herb. Wow, are we going miss him…
And then of course there were his trains. He had many of them, built into his house, his yard, and his garage – he even had a setup at work. There were way too many to count – but, it was a train lovers dream installation – complete with Towns, Bridges, People, you name it – he had it. I believe he called it the Manassas Valley Authority and he was the engineer. At Christmas time he had on in the front yard and the neighbors loved it (especially the children). It was a perfect symbol of him and his life – An Engineer, his design and his world – full of order, people in need and his ability to make a difference in their lives. That was my uncle – order, service & difference.
Herbert’s life was a testimony to Matthew 25:23 “His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord”. Like in the parable of the talents, he sought out not only the best of himself, but that of others.
So, in keeping with his love of Trains – he was a conductor and an engineer of life. He always looked to guide others on the path to greatness, he would look to remove roadblocks, teach life-lessons that endure, and engineer wonderful outcomes. We are all better off for having him touch our lives.
So, I won’t keep you long – but they say a minister has to have a sermon ready – Let me share what I think the Lord was telling us with Herbert’s life…
14 “For it is as if a man, going on a journey, summoned his slaves and entrusted his property to them; 15 to one he gave five talents,[a] to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. 16 The one who had received the five talents went off at once and traded with them, and made five more talents. 17 In the same way, the one who had the two talents made two more talents. 18 But the one who had received the one talent went off and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. 19 After a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them. 20 Then the one who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five more talents, saying, ‘Master, you handed over to me five talents; see, I have made five more talents.’ 21 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’ 22 And the one with the two talents also came forward, saying, ‘Master, you handed over to me two talents; see, I have made two more talents.’ 23 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’ 24 Then the one who had received the one talent also came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew that you were a harsh man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter seed; 25 so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.’ 26 But his master replied, ‘You wicked and lazy slave! You knew, did you, that I reap where I did not sow, and gather where I did not scatter? 27 Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and on my return I would have received what was my own with interest. 28 So take the talent from him, and give it to the one with the ten talents. 29 For to all those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away. 30 As for this worthless slave, throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
So, as you leave from here and reflect – think of your life as a testimony – what message are you leaving, what lessons have you taught, what truth are you living, what family are you serving – as you do so close your eyes, think of Uncle Herb and walk forward on faith.
He went home on August 9, 2021 and leaves to celebrate him are his brother-in-law Fred A. Hale, nephews Earl Newsome & Marcus Newsome, grand-nieces Misha, Alexandria, Zoe, and Destiny grand-nephews Christopher, Earl, Devon, and Denzell and many other relatives and Friends.
Let me leave my family & friends with this one last message for the day…
My uncle who lived a life full of teaching and sharing – and as his sister proved that there is a message in the music… And to everyone who knew Uncle Herb – would agree this song was for him.
The Songwriter of “Everyday People” wrote
Sometimes I'm right and I can be wrong
My own beliefs are in my song
The butcher, the banker, the drummer and then
Makes no difference what group I'm in
I am everyday people, yeah, yeah
There is a blue one who can't accept
The green one for living with
A fat one tryin' to be a skinny one
Different strokes for different folks
And so on and so on and scooby-dooby-dooby
We got to live together
I am no better and neither are you
We're all the same, whatever we do
You love me, you hate me
You know me and then
You can't figure out the bag I'm in
I am everyday people
There is a long hair
That doesn't like the short hair
For being such a rich one
That will not help the poor one
Different strokes for different folks
And so on and so on, scooby-dooby-dooby
We got to live together
There is a yellow one that won't
Accept the black one
That won't accept the red one
That won't accept the white one
Different strokes for different folks
And so on and so on and
Scooby-dooby-dooby
I am everyday people
------ Let us all say Amen ------
Going Home Information:
Services will be provided by Hillcrest Funeral Home
https://www.dignitymemorial.com/funeral-homes/el-paso-tx/hillcrest-funeral-home/5092
A viewing will be held at Hillcrest Funeral Home
On Friday, September 24 from 11:00AM - 1:00PM
Located at
1060 North Carolina Drive
El Paso, TX 79915
915-598-3332
At the moment – there are no limits on capacity at the burial site – but stay tuned.
These services are also planned be streamed over Facebook Live – To Access this:
Go to Facebook and search Hillcrest Funeral Home to view
A Burial service will be held at Ft Bliss, Tx
5200 Fred Wilson Ave, El Paso, TX 79906
On Friday, September 24 at 1:30PM
Flowers and Well Wishes are welcome and can be sent to the Funeral Home or;
to:
1709 Bruce Devlin, El Paso, Tx 79935
Also, in lieu of Flowers, donations can be made to:
The Smithsonian.
James Smithson, like Herbert F. Smith, believed knowledge benefited everyone, and that sharing it freely could change the world for the better. That's why he left his legacy to America with explicit instructions to create "an establishment for the increase and diffusion of knowledge." Almost 175 years and generations of donors later, the Smithsonian is the largest museum, research and education complex in the world.
in the name of Herbert F. Smith II
This is also posted on the Web at:
https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/el-paso-tx/herbert-smith-10315244
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