David R. Smith

DAVID R. SMITH



Services for David R. Smith are set for Wednesday, December 23, 2009 at 2:00 PM at the Geo. J. Carroll & Son Funeral Home Chapel, with burial to follow at Fairview Cemetery. Rev. John Hare and Rev. Dewayne Dawson will be officiating. No visitation is planned.



David R. Smith was born on September 8, 1925 to David H. and Minnie Smith. He grew up in Wolf Ridge where he attended First Presbyterian Church.



David began showing Milking Short Horn cattle in 1938. The late John Voth joined him on the fair circuit, showing cattle all over North Texas. They were an asset to the agricultural community in Gainesville. When Camp Howze purchased their land, he and his family relocated their dairy and farm south of Gainesville on Old Denton Road. Later he raised Simmental-Herford and dairy cattle, always making high reports for his quality milk sold to AMPI. FFA members purchased his beef calves from three states which won top honors in many shows.



On August 22, 1948, David married his sweetheart Elnora Miller. Last August, they celebrated 61 years together. Elnora shared with him a lifetime of accomplishments and worked by his side every day to make their farm business a success. Their four children helped with the daily chores which come along with a farm/dairy business.



David received many honors and awards with his keen ability to raise outstanding crops. There were even people who traveled from Houston to purchase his Alfalfa Hay. The state of Texas awarded him the Reserve Champion Hay, 1978. He also received Conservation Farmer Upper Elm 1969 and Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce Conservationist of the Year.



Mr. Smith: gave freely to the community and North Central Texas College, was always available to help anyone, was a dying breed and a man of his word, had a strong work ethic and never knew the phrase “can’t.”



David is survived by his wife, Elnora and four children; Bobby, Charlotte, Paul Smith and Patty Camp; son in law Tim Camp, daughters in law Angela and Beverly Smith; eight grandchildren; Christi Weems, Salena Overcash, Ashlee Smith Medina, John Paul, David Brandon, Joshua, Ethan, and Matthew Smith and nine great grandchildren.



Pallbearers are Toby Stobaugh, Jimmy Mosman, Rod Tyler, David Huffman, Wilber Smith and Dale Terry. Honorary pallbearers are James Bayer, R. J. Brock, Gary Brammer, Bud Ford, and Vernon Austin.