Joel Lynn Smith

Joel was born May 26, 1942, in Tecumseh, Michigan, to Clara Filter Smith and Albert Frederick “Chick” Smith. He attended a one-room schoolhouse before graduating from Blissfield High School, where he played basketball. A basketball scholarship brought him to Texas Lutheran College, where he soon traded basketball for football and discovered the sport that would become his life's calling.

Joel began his coaching career at Winston Churchill High School in San Antonio. He later coached at Sam Houston State while earning his master's degree, returned to Churchill, and then coached in Weslaco. In 1975, he became Head Football Coach and

Athletic Director at Robert G. Cole High School. He served on the Texas High School Coaches Association Board of Directors for Region 8 and, beginning in 1993, spent ten years as Defensive Coordinator at Robert E. Lee High School. Even after retiring from coaching, Joel continued working with students to develop life skills as an In-School Suspension teacher.

Coaching was about much more than football for Joel. He believed in teaching young men how to work hard, compete, persevere, and stand by one another. Many of his players and fellow coaches became lifelong friends.

Joel was also an avid hunter and took great pride in his many exceptional mounts. Some of his happiest times were spent outdoors with the friends he made through football and hunting. He was a man's man—loyal, hardworking, competitive, straightforward, and deeply devoted to those he loved.

Joel is survived by his wife of 31 years, Becky Ownby Smith; his brother, Frederick James Smith; his brother-in-law, Robert G. Ownby, Jr., and his wife, Cary; his sister-in-law, Lisa Ownby Clingman, and her husband, Jay; Barbara Breeding Sylvan; Larry Breeding and his wife, Rebecca; and many beloved nieces, nephews, and their families, including Bobby Ownby, Katelynn and Walter; Amy Ownby, Clark and Maisie; Ben Ownby; James Clingman, Wesley, and their children, Lucy, Fully, Wyn, and Henry; Brandon Clingman; Sarah and Christian Rogers and their daughter, Charlotte.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Clara Filter Smith and Albert Frederick "Chick"Smith; his brother, Donald Frank William Smith; his father-in-law, Major General Robert G. Ownby; his mother-in-law, Cecelia Anne Ownby; and his uncle by marriage, Dave Sylvan.

The family extends heartfelt thanks to Prodigious Hospice, especially Geoff Colacino and Amy, for their compassionate care. Special thanks also go to Nancy Calderon, Brenda, and Cindy, who lovingly cared for Joel in their home, surrounding him with comfort, protection, nurturing, and a wonderful Christian spirit.

Joel leaves behind a lifetime of memories, friendships, stories, and people whose lives are better because they knew him. He will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered.

Rest easy, Coach. Your work here is done, but your influence and your stories will live on.

A visitation will be held on Monday, October 12, 2026, from 2:00-4:00 p.m. at Porter Loring Mortuary North 2102 North Loop 1604 East San Antonio, Texas 78232 followed by a memorial service.

Burial will be at Sunset Memorial Park in San Antonio, Texas at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Texas High School Coaches Association, Texas Lutheran University Athletics, Battle of Flowers Association, and Military-Civilian Charitable Foundation.