Ellis Duncan Smith

Ellis Duncan Smith died December 20, 2011 at the age of 79 years. He was a remarkable man who will be remembered for his intelligence, determination and his devotion to his family. He was well read and loved history, politics, mathematics, and science.

Ellis was born in San Patricio County, Texas on March 27, 1932 and was the second of four sons to Charles Statham and Jessie Alice Duncan Smith. When Ellis was eight years old, his parents and youngest brother were killed in a terrible motor vehicle accident. He and his two surviving brothers spent the rest of their childhood at Buckner Orphans Home in Dallas, Texas.

After graduating from High School, he attended Baylor University and later transferred to Texas Tech. Knowing he was about to be drafted, Ellis volunteered for the United States Marine Corps in 1953. After serving his country in the Korean War, Ellis joined AT&T in 1956 where he worked for the next 35 years, primarily in the network engineering department.

Shortly after joining AT&T, he met his life-long sweetheart, Carol Lynn Williams. The two married on August 2, 1958, beginning 53 years of love and companionship. Ellis and Carol shared a close and remarkable bond that very few couples ever achieve. Not only were they spouses, they were best friends and companions.

Ellis and Carol provided a wonderful home to three sons. Mark Stanton Smith was born in 1960, Phillip Andrew Smith in 1962 and David Ellis Smith in 1965. The house was always filled with joy and happiness. No children could be blessed with a better childhood. One of Ellis and Carol's proudest achievements is that each of their children graduated from college and became professionals. Mark became a lawyer; Phillip an engineer; and David received a degree in Landscape Architecture. Recently, Ellis learned that his oldest grandson has been accepted to medical school and his second grandson has been accepted to Texas Tech University.

Nearing retirement, Ellis and Carol bought land in the Texas Hill Country and Ellis began rebuilding the collapsed 1870's log house of his great-grandfather, Burnley Duke Smith. This project provided both challenges and joy for the rest of his life. Carefully gathering and numbering each original log and stone, he rebuilt the house and sandstone fireplace by hand on his Blanco County land, just as his great-grandfather had done many years earlier. Continuing the project, he cleared and fenced the land, built a barn and corral, and became a gentleman rancher. When his children and grandchildren came to visit, Ellis would sit on the porch of his cabin and see the ax strokes placed by his great-grandfather in the logs of the house and at the same time tousle the hair of his young grandchild.

Whether building a cabin, salmon fishing in Alaska, hiking through the mountains of Colorado, debating politics with his sons, or simply enjoying a good book, Ellis always lived his life to the fullest. He was a man of courtesy and kindness. Although he faced many losses in his life, he always overcame them and looked forward to the future with a sense of optimism. Ellis felt that hard times were simply challenges to be met and learn from. He was the leader of our family because everyone respected his judgment and his absolute integrity.

Ellis is survived by his beautiful bride of 53 years, Carol Lynn Smith; sons Mark Stanton Smith and wife Ida Mae; Phillip Andrew Smith; David Ellis Smith and wife Heidi Elizabeth; and grandchildren Tyler Ellis Smith, Andrew Travis Smith, Allison Elizabeth Smith and Duncan Alexander Smith.

Life will not be the same without him. We will miss his warmth, experience, and wisdom. The world is a much smaller place without Ellis Duncan Smith.

SERVICE

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2011

1:00 PM

PORTER LORING MORTUARY NORTH CHAPEL

Interment will follow in Holy Cross Cemetery.