Arthur L. Smith

Born on the 6th of October 1952, in New York, New York, Art lived a life defined by curiosity, generosity, and joy. He spent much of his childhood in New Orleans, where he attended Jesuit High School and first picked up the trumpet, laying the foundation for a lifelong passion for music. In 1970 he graduated from Rye High School in New York.

Art’s love for the Carolinas led him to Duke University, where he graduated in 1974 with degrees in English and Zoology. He went on to earn his MBA in Economics and Finance in 1979 from the Stern School of Business of New York University.

Art built a distinguished career as an oil and gas security analyst, beginning at Argus Research. The tumultuous energy markets of the early 1980s provided a well-timed tailwind, leading to roles at The First Boston Corporation and Oppenheimer and Company. During this period Art formed close friendships with legendary investor Richard Rainwater and oilman T. Boone Pickens. Inspired by Rainwater, Art acquired control of the independent petroleum research firm, John S. Herold, Inc.

In 1984, at the age of 32, Art assumed leadership of John S. Herold Inc. with a staff of six employees. What followed were two decades of extraordinary growth and accomplishment, as Herold blossomed into a leading petroleum industry research boutique with a global geographic reach. In the 1990s, Art relocated to Houston, where his parents resided. In 2007 Art and his team successfully sold Herold to International Handling Systems (IHS), now S&P Global. After completing the sale of John S. Herold, Art launched Triple Double Advisors, LLC, an investment management and consulting firm.

Throughout his career, Art served on numerous corporate boards. He began his service at Parker & Parsley in Midland, and later served on energy boards including Pioneer Natural Resources, Plains All American, Evergreen Resources, Cabot Oil and Gas, Pioneer Southwest Energy Partners, and Mammoth Energy.

Outside of work, Art embraced life fully. As an outdoorsman, offshore fishing was a lifelong passion. For many years, Art co-owned a 38-foot Sportfisher that took fishing excursions in the Gulf of Mexico. Summers held a special place in his heart—especially Alaska, its people, and the salmon and halibut. Art enjoyed many years riding at Mardi Gras as a member of Le Krewe D’État, bringing family together in New Orleans and enjoyed being a member of the Bienville Club.

Art enjoyed public speaking as well as writing. He published two books, Something From Nothing the biography of legendary oilman Joe B. Foster; and The Streckfus Riverboat Dynasty – Jazz and the Big Smoke Canoe, a history of his family’s steamboat excursion business. In his later years he developed a particular talent for restoring collectible antique Jefferson Mystery Clocks.

Art was deeply committed to service. He served on the Board of Visitors of the Nicholas School of the Environment at Duke University. In Houston, he devoted himself to community organizations including Dress for Success Houston, where he served as former Chairman, Houston Hospice, and Memorial Assistance Ministries (MAM). Art worked closely with Nancy Levicki, Co-founder, Executive Director of Dress for Success Houston on the project to build the present location on Eastside. His generosity and dedication left a lasting impact on countless lives.

Those who knew Art will remember him as joyful, intelligent, giving, and endlessly fun-loving—a natural jokester whose warmth and humor brought people together.

Art is survived by his children, Erin (Matt), Allison (Eric), and Roy (Hunter); his grandchildren, Brooke, Noah, and Bennett Ahrens, Emmy and McKay Aubel, Louise “Weezy,” and Wren Smith; his stepchildren, Cade, Jake, and Rye Rose; his spouse, Holly Smith; his sister, Ellen Brown (Keith); and his nieces, Katie (Patrick), and Carrie.

He is preceded in death by his beloved son, Dustin Arthur Smith; and his parents, Arthur Norbert and Lily Streckfus Smith.

A celebration of Art's life is to be conducted at three o'clock in the afternoon on Thursday, the 8th of January, in the Jasek Chapel of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston.

Immediately following the service, all are invited to greet the family during a reception to be held in the adjacent grand foyer.

The family will gather at a later time for a private interment at Memorial Oaks Cemetery in Houston.

Art’s legacy lives on in the family he adored, the community he served, and the many lives he touched with laughter, kindness, and love.

In lieu of customary remembrances, donations in Art’s memory may be made to the Dustin Arthur Smith (2013) Memorial Fund #3183225 at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology by selecting the "Donation" icon below.

We invite you to take a few moments to share fond memories and words of comfort and condolence with his family by selecting the “Add a Memory” icon.

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