Kenneth Dale Smith

Writing an obituary for Kenneth Dale Smith is challenging, as consolidating his life of 78 years into a measly few paragraphs is nigh impossible. Anyone that knew him could attest he’d prefer to tell his tale himself… but would settle for an overly long novel by a famous author if necessary. Yet here we are.

Kenneth was born to Lynn Edmund and Floy Belle Smith on February 22, 1947. He was the youngest of four brothers, and along with Tony Lynn, Lawrence, and Teddy, grew up on a chicken farm in a small valley in Texarkana, Arkansas. At the age of 8, Kenneth worked as an Assistant Bootlegger to his oldest brother, then later as a bricklayer and fireman before serving in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve. Kenneth’s greatest feat in his early life was successfully finding and wedding Patricia Anne Kennedy, his bride of nearly 56 years.

Blessed with the love of his life, Kenneth decided his previous career options were far too hot and thus obtained his master’s in criminal justice from Sam Houston State University before becoming a federal probation officer serving the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas. Kenneth and Pat primarily resided in Lindale, Texas, for 33 years, from which they survived raising their two sons Tony and Todd. Depending upon the hour, Kenneth enjoyed playing blues piano and was a well-loved bluegrass picker with a mandolin in one arm and an obliging bass playing wife (and later son) in the other.

After his well-earned retirement in 2004, Kenneth enjoyed playing music, editing home videos, watching Marshall Dillon, and telling fabulous tales to his three grandchildren. He is survived by his wife Pat, youngest son Todd, and oldest son Tony and his wife Ronda, and their children Emma, Nathan, and Matthew. His family and friends will miss him tremendously, but they know that Kenneth is in his Heavenly home, his spirit loudly sings, the holy waters are calling him, and he hears the noise of wings.

A memorial service was held at Hewett-Arney Funeral Home in Temple, Tx, on Saturday, November 1, at 10 a.m.