Charles Leonard Smith

Charles Leonard Smith was born on June 7, 1931, to Leonard John and Ruth Esther Miller Smith in South Bend, Indiana. Much of his early childhood was marked by family instability and economic hardship, as his mother was diagnosed with tuberculosis at an early age and spent much of her time in a hospital, and his father, while serving in the U.S. Navy, died during World War II off the shores of Normandy. In the 1930s, individuals with tuberculosis were advised to go to San Antonio to escape the cold winters, and that's when Charlie began coming to San Antonio, moving here permanently after the war. He attended Mark Twain, and then attended Jefferson High School, where he graduated in 1949.

Charlie attended Texas A&M in 1949 and played on the Aggie Baseball team. He graduated in 1953. He married Ann McRoberts on June 13, 1953, after starting law school at St. Mary’s University on June 12, 1953. Going straight through law school in 27 months, he served twice as student bar president and graduated Magna Cum Laude. He was called into the army in 1955 and served 16 months in Korea. Upon returning from Korea, he began working at the San Antonio City Attorney's Office under City Attorney Carlos Cadena. He worked for the City Attorney's office for three years and in 1960, he joined Josh Groce and Jack Hebdon in the firm that eventually became Groce, Locke & Hebdon.

During the next 50+ years, Charlie was an extremely busy civil trial lawyer defending people, corporations, and churches in state courts, tribunals, and federal courts throughout Texas. He got great satisfaction just from practicing law. He did this so effectively that he became a fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers and the College of International Academy of Trial Lawyers. He also served as state chairman of the American College of Trial Lawyers for two years and on the Board of Directors of the International Academy. Additionally, he was an advocate in the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) and helped form the San Antonio chapter.

Charlie felt that the greatest satisfaction derived from practicing law was the opportunity it gave him to serve in leadership positions in the organized bar and the opportunities those gave him to have an impact on the profession, judicial system, and in service to the public.

During these years, Charlie was very active in multiple community and bar activities. In the early '60s, Charlie was active in the Junior Chamber of Commerce, and in addition to being President of that organization, was named Outstanding Young Man of San Antonio in 1965, primarily based upon his successful push for Bexar County to provide and build a central jury room for prospective jurors to congregate while waiting to be called for a jury. After that, Charlie became active in the San Antonio Bar Association, serving on the Board of Directors as Vice President and eventually becoming President. After that, he was elected to the State Bar of Texas Board of Directors, and after two years of service, he was elected Chairman of the State Bar Board of Directors. He became President of the State Bar of Texas in 1986. During this time, some of his proudest achievements included the passage of IOLTA to help fund legal services for the indigent and the establishment of minimum continuing legal education requirements for attorneys. After this, he was appointed to the Commission on Judicial Conduct, where he served four years, including 1 year as Chair. He also served on the Commission for Lawyer Discipline, including serving as Chair for one year. He also served on the Board of Disciplinary Appeals (BODA).

Charlie has been recognized by his peers and others for his community service. He was named Attorney of the Year by the Texas Aggie Bar Association. In 1982, Charlie received the Distinguished Alumni Award from St. Mary's Law School. In 2001, he was given the Lola Wright Award. In 2005, the San Antonio Bar Association awarded him the Joe Frazier Brown Senior Award of Excellence. In 2006, the San Antonio Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates gave him the coveted Piro Lomas Memorial Award. In the same year, the Texas Bar Foundation honored him with a 50-year Outstanding Lawyer Award. In 2010, the Board of Directors of the State Bar of Texas unanimously named him a Texas Legal Legend. In 2012, he received a lifetime achievement award from the San Antonio Business Journal and in 2014, the San Antonio Chapter of the Association of Corporate Counsel awarded him the Lee Cusenbary Ethical Life and Leadership Award.

Charlie was active in the community beyond the law. This included serving as President of the Junior Chamber of Commerce, a Director of the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce, a Director of the Downtown San Antonio YMCA, a Director of the Texas Cradle Society, and President of the San Antonio A&M Club. He was very proud to serve as a Child Advocate of San Antonio (CASA), a member of the Alamo Kiwanis Club for over 50 years, as a “Reading Buddy” at local elementary schools, an elder at Covenant Presbyterian Church, and later First Presbyterian Church. He also enjoyed teaching Sunday school and coaching softball and basketball.

Charlie loved traveling and exploring. He and Ann took almost yearly trips around the globe. They brought the entire family on a Hawaiian trip for their 50th anniversary. They were very excited to take each grandson upon reaching age 12 on a special trip for valued one-on-one time. Charlie also loved playing golf with family and friends. Although he never boasted of his golf ability, he did have two hole-in-ones at Canyon Creek Country Club.

Charlie and Ann’s story continued for over seven decades. Her beloved support and encouragement provided a sustained love for over 73 years. Their love and commitment to each other, their Christian faith, and the values on which they built their life endure in their surviving children and spouses.

Charlie was a man with an easy, wonderful smile, a firm handshake, and a “howdy.” He enjoyed meeting everyone. He was a life-long Aggie, which was never a secret. To Charlie, there were no strangers, just friends he had not met.

Charlie was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Bill. He is survived by his wife of 73 years, Ann; his son, Dr. James Smith, and his wife, Monica; their sons, Austin and his wife, Beryl, and George and his wife, Sarah; his son, Larry Smith, and his wife, Kim; their sons Timothy, Alexander, and David and his wife, Sharon; and his daughter, Holly Smith.

The family wishes to express its gratitude for all the care providers who supported Charlie and Ann, including Jessica, Blanca, Lesley, Ebony, Allie, and Linda.

A graveside service will take place at 9:00am on Monday, May 11, 2026, at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery (1520 Harry Wurzbach Road, San Antonio, TX 78209). A memorial service will follow beginning at 11:00am at First Presbyterian Church (404 N. Alamo St., San Antonio, TX 78205).