To the family and friends of Giant Joe we offer our condolences. I will miss one of the only men who could ever jitterbug with me. We met Joe on a vacation to Alaska and my husband was a bit envious of the fishing excursion Joe went one. Our lives were truly enriched by knowing Joe. I'm sure there will be a special mansion with fishing and hunting and a huge dance floor just for Joe. 
God Bless all of you at this time.

We are all here to honor this man so many of us have called Grandaddy, including me.  I am Susie Smith, wife of one of Grandaddy’s grandsons, Jeff Smith.  At this time, while we grieve, it is often hard to laugh and smile, but I hope that the following thoughts on Grandaddy can make us smile.  
Did you know…….that Grandaddy had 2 children, 5 grandchildren, and 13 great grandchildren?  There were so many great grandchildren that we would tease him and see if he could name them all in less than a minute.  Grandaddy never forgot any of their birthdays.  We always got a card, perfectly addressed with his old real typewriter!  Did you know that one of Grandaddy’s great grandchildren Parker, is named after Grandaddy’s middle name?
Grandaddy was born on April fool’s Day…..very fitting for a man that was so good at telling jokes.  He also could tell jokes that were not always meant for little one’s ears, or innocent ears!
Grandaddy lived in Refugio for many years, prior to moving to Houston over 20 years ago, and Linda’s children, (3 of his grandchildren) have fond memories of visits to Refugio.  He used to take his grandkids on rides and let them drive, all thru the streets of Refugio!  He loved to take the family and grandkids across the border and help them to negotiate the lowest possible price – he had gotten quite good at it.  When granddaddy would visit his grandkids in Louisiana, he would prepare a box and carefully place horn toad lizards inside to make a special hand carried delivery all the way to Summerfield.
When Grandson Jeff was in high school, granddaddy moved to Houston.  He quickly became an active booster club member and never missed a game.  More recently, he never missed his great grandson Ryan’s baseball games.  He was always there, sitting at third base to watch.
Grandaddy knew no strangers.  He was a very gentle social man who created bonds with others.  He was always very active and involved in many social events, such as golfing with his friends, walking with his walking club at Memorial City Mall, and going to Wild West for weekly happy hours and dancing.  He even had a birthday party in April, at Wild West, for a very special 89th birthday.
Perhaps many of you have tasted some of Grandaddy’s special treats.  There have been many and those most memorable include: 
• Fig preserves
• peanut and pecan brittle, 
• holiday trash mix, (but you BETTER HAVE GIVEN THE JARS BACK)!
• banana, peanut butter, and honey sandwiches (a favorite that Grandaddy and Grandson Greg would enjoy)
• my favorite, Grandaddy’s rum cake.  I tried to make it a few times, and after being unable to duplicate it I had a serious talk with Grandaddy.  Only then did he admit that he adds an extra ½ cup of rum to the recipe that is NOT in the Smith family cookbook!!!!!
• most recently, granddaddy was an astute garden grower.  He loved for his great grandchildren to come over and pick carrots and other vegetables.
• brisket, sausage, and other BBQ, especially cooking out with family and friends
Grandaddy had a love for hunting and fishing.  He would fish brim in Linda and Bill’s stock pond in Summerfield, and afterward, the pond wasn’t considered “stocked” anymore!  Grandaddy preferred not to throw the fish back!
Grandaddy was Paul’s hunting buddy.  He often went to the deer lease with Paul.  Three years ago, Grandaddy went to Argentina with Paul and other family and friends to dove hunt, at age 86!  He also loved to sit in a deer blind with his grandsons when they were little.  Their main objective was to see who could pee the furthest out the deer stand!!  And they wondered why they never saw any deer…… 
Grandaddy loved:
• Moya’s Mexican Restaurant in Refugio
• Mytiburger
• Happy hour
• The Houston Astros
• Texas A&M
• Dancing
• Living close to Paul and Laura in Spring Shadows
• Dear Lynn Smith, his lifelong companion
• Telling us how much he loved us all
• ALL OF YOU, his family and his friends

The following family memories were shared at the memorial service on August 24th, 2010:
We are all here to honor this man so many of us have called Grandaddy, including me.  I am Susie Smith, wife of one of Grandaddy's grandsons, Jeff Smith.  At this time, while we grieve, it is often hard to laugh and smile, but I hope that the following thoughts on Grandaddy can make us smile.  
Did you know that Grandaddy had 2 children, 5 grandchildren, and 13 great grandchildren?  There were so many great grandchildren that we would tease him and see if he could name them all in less than a minute.  Grandaddy never forgot any of their birthdays.  We always got a card, perfectly addressed with his old real typewriter!  Did you know that one of Grandaddy's great grandchildren Parker, is named after Grandaddy's middle name?
Grandaddy was born on April fool's Day..very fitting for a man that was so good at telling jokes.  He also could tell jokes that were not always meant for little one's ears, or innocent ears!
Grandaddy lived in Refugio for many years, prior to moving to Houston over 20 years ago, and Linda's children, (3 of his grandchildren) have fond memories of visits to Refugio.  He used to take his grandkids on rides and let them drive, all thru the streets of Refugio!  He loved to take the family and grandkids across the border and help them to negotiate the lowest possible price - he had gotten quite good at it.  When granddaddy would visit his grandkids in Louisiana, he would prepare a box and carefully place horn toad lizards inside to make a special hand carried delivery all the way to Summerfield.
When Grandson Jeff was in high school, granddaddy moved to Houston.  He quickly became an active booster club member and never missed a game.  More recently, he never missed his great grandson Ryan's baseball games.  He was always there, sitting at third base to watch.
Grandaddy knew no strangers.  He was a very gentle social man who created bonds with others.  He was always very active and involved in many social events, such as golfing with his friends, walking with his walking club at Memorial City Mall, and going to Wild West for weekly happy hours and dancing.  He even had a birthday party in April, at Wild West, for a very special 89th birthday.
Perhaps many of you have tasted some of Grandaddy's special treats.  There have been many and those most memorable include: 
-Fig preserves
-peanut and pecan brittle, 
-holiday trash mix, (but you BETTER HAVE GIVEN THE JARS BACK)!
-banana, peanut butter, and honey sandwiches (a favorite that Grandaddy and Grandson Greg would enjoy)
-my favorite, Grandaddy's rum cake.  I tried to make it a few times, and after being unable to duplicate it I had a serious talk with Grandaddy.  Only then did he admit that he adds an extra ½ cup of rum to the recipe that is NOT in the Smith family cookbook!!!!!
-most recently, granddaddy was an astute garden grower.  He loved for his great grandchildren to come over and pick carrots and other vegetables.
-brisket, sausage, and other BBQ, especially cooking out with family and friends
Grandaddy had a love for hunting and fishing.  He would fish brim in Linda and Bill's stock pond in Summerfield, and afterward, the pond wasn't considered stocked anymore!  Grandaddy preferred not to throw the fish back!
Grandaddy was Paul's hunting buddy.  He often went to the deer lease with Paul.  Three years ago, Grandaddy went to Argentina with Paul and other family and friends to dove hunt, at age 86!  He also loved to sit in a deer blind with his grandsons when they were little.  Their main objective was to see who could pee the furthest out the deer stand!!  And they wondered why they never saw any deer! 
Grandaddy loved:
-Moya's Mexican Restaurant in Refugio
-Mytiburger
-Happy hour
-The Houston Astros
-Texas A&M
-Dancing
-Living close to Paul and Laura in Spring Shadows
-Dear Lynn Smith, his lifelong companion
-Telling us how much he loved us all
-ALL OF YOU, his family and his friends

I had the pleasure of meeting Joe at the Wild West couple of years ago. I remember his smile was as wide as the state of Texas, and his sense of humor was contagious. Joe's love for life,and his ability to share his joy with all of us; will be remember. Blessings & peace to all that loved him.

We only met Papa Joe twice but he made a life-lasting impression-we know what a "hole" there is in everyone's life! He had a long, full and happy life and he left so many people with so many wonderful memories. Our sincere sympathy to all in his family. May God comfort you and all those memories bless you for many years to come.

We first got to know Joe on cruises with him, Lynne and the Squires. His love of life and wonderful sense of humor touched our hearts. We will always remember him with joy. Our prayers are with his family as we know they were always precious to him.

I was in Joe's presence only a few times, but could tell that he was a wonderful and caring person.  My prayers are with the family.

Grand Dad Smith will be remembered as sweet, caring and funny.  We will never have another Rum Cake that can compare. We send our sympathy to all of you in your time of sorrow.

My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief.  May your memories bring you comfort.

We will all miss Grand Daddy Smith's smile and wit.  Heaven gained another fine dancer this week. My condolences to your family. 
Julie Wagner

Paul & Laura, Our thoughts & prayers are with you & your family. 

Doug & Debbie Holley-(Jean Zwernemans's daughter & son-in-law)

Dear Smith Family,
Ms Lynn, Paul, Laura, and families please accept our sincere condolences. We also would like to say thank you so much for allowing "Granddaddy" to be a part of our lives.  He meant so much to us! We loved him as if he was our Granddad. He will be truly missed.  He was such an awesome person. He was so sweet, loving, and thoughtful.  There is definately going to be a void in our hearts come huntin' season.  He was the only Granddaddy we ever knew.
God Bless, Buck, Stephanie, Ty, and Jake Rhyner

We understand from Jeff Smith that Grand Daddy Smith was quite a character. He will be missed by family and friends.

Ron Hogan/Jackie Alcott

Grand Daddy Smith was such a sweet man.  I will always remember his smile and his love for his family.  May you find peace in the many wonderful memories of him.

Joe was ever so ernest with his friendliness.  He was so quick to seek me out and say hello, shake my hand.  I never remember a time when he wasn't smiling.  What a great guy.  He is missed.

Please accept my condolences to your family and may God bless you in this time of sorrow. Joe will always be a giant with his friends, dance community, family, and business associates.

Joe was one of the few real people I've met in life. He said what he meant and meant what he said. A true gentleman. A man's man!!

He will be greatly missed by all of his dance friends.  He was a sweetheart! Our condolences to his family.

Paul and Larua, I am sorry about your loss. I will miss him to. Jean Zwerneman

I was so sorry to hear of your loss.  The thoughts of many are with you at this time of sorrow.

OBITUARY

Joe Park Smith

April 1, 1921 – August 21, 2010

Waltrip Funeral Directors

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