Gilbert Franklin Smith Sr.

Gilbert taught and coached for Galena Park ISD for 24 years. He taught and coached at Des Arc High School in Arkansas for 3 years prior to moving to Texas. After 27 years of teaching, he retired in 1985. Gilbert proudly served on the Galena Park ISD School Board.

Gilbert received his Bachelor of Science Degree from Henderson State Teachers College in Arkansas and his Master’s Degree in Education from Sam Houston State University. It was at Henderson State where he met, courted and married, his wonderful wife, Mary Evelyn.

Gilbert served in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict. He received the Korean Defense Service Medal and Good Conduct Medal.

Gilbert was a devout member of Holy Trinity United Methodist Church of Houston, serving on several committees and special boards. He was a Freemason, achieving the Master Mason Degree in the oldest and largest fraternal organization in the world.

Gilbert had a wonderful sense of humor and loved to laugh and smile. He looked forward to having morning coffee and breakfast with his fellow “cronies” where they reminisced about fond memories of the “good old days”. He could always come up with a good joke to liven any occasion. Gilbert had a special skill in working with youth and enjoyed teaching and coaching for three decades before retiring. Gilbert loved traveling near and far with Mary Evelyn. They visited Arkansas, Oklahoma, Alaska and even Germany and The Holy Land. He enjoyed the outdoors and could be found nearly every afternoon with “Mary E” on the back patio enjoying the birds and talking about old times and living life to its fullest. He was extremely proud and very dedicated to his family. He will be greatly missed.

Gilbert is preceded in death by his parents.

Gilbert is survived by the love of his life of 57 years, Mary Hamilton Smith of Houston, daughter, Stephanie Smith Thompson and husband, Fred, of Cypress, Texas, Teri Lyn Smith Golden and husband, Lee Golden of Eufaula, OK, and son, Gilbert Smith, Jr. and wife Mary of Mont Belvieu, Texas. He leaves 5 grandchildren, Kirby, Megan, Mallory, Tyler and Gregory. Great grandchildren, Ryan, Jade, Eli, Dyanna, Kenny, J.T. and Cody and many nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.

The family would like to express gratitude and appreciation to the staff of Kindred Hospital of Baytown, and to Reverend Paul May, from Holy Trinity United Methodist Church for their compassionate care .

Visitation will be Thursday November 20, 2014 from 5:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M at Howard Glendale Funeral Home, 1015 Federal Rd., Houston, Texas, for family and friends. Funeral Services will be November 21, 2014, Friday, at 10:00 A.M. at Holy Trinity United Methodist Church in Houston, Texas. Burial will follow at Houston National Veterans Cemetery in North Houston.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Holy Trinity United Methodist Church, 13207 Orleans St. Houston, Texas, 77015 in memory of Gilbert Smith, Sr.