Jeffrey Smith

Jeffrey Michael Smith passed away on July 2, 2018 in Euless, Texas. He will always be remembered for his exceptional love for his daughters and family, strong work ethic, delightful sense of humor, ability to grow genuine friendships, and passion for football, golf, and hockey. He was born on January 19, 1967 in Dallas, Texas to Bonnie and Edward Smith.

Jeffrey graduated North Garland High School with honors, achieving a UIL Scholar Award and Presidential Academic Fitness Award. His love of sports started with fourth grade football continuing to high school. Jeffrey joined the track and field team in discus and shot his freshman year and achieved great success in his sports career. Jeffrey’s high school track and field career meant much more to him than just throwing every day and going to meets. He learned lot about character, winning, losing, and competing. He gave credit of his success to his coach Ed Barry as well as God. Jeffrey graduated University of Texas, Arlington with a Bachelors of Arts degree of Interdisciplinary Studies. His passion for tennis and golf grew into patiently teaching his friends and family how to improve their golf and tennis performance. His passion for fitness continued with his father and brother, Josh. Josh and Jeffrey held their own triathlon pushing their physical limits and completing their completion successfully.

Jeffrey enjoyed a career in mortgage banking and underwriting, spending more than 18 years with Bank of America. It was here that he perfected his work ethic and created deep friendships. His friends remember him as always being genuine, kind, and compassionate, with a witty sense of humor. Jeffrey worked at J.P Morgan Chase, again in underwriting and risk assessment. His honest work ethic earned him the respect of his colleagues and his bright and caring personality gained him quality friendships.

Jeffrey met Tamitha Horton at church where their friendship evolved into their marriage in 1992. During this time, Jeffrey began his mortgage banking career. From their marriage came two beautiful daughters; Emma Rose and Natalie Ruth. Jeffrey embraced the blessing of their daughters. Jeffrey had a lot of quality time with his daughters. Much creativity took place and the engineering juices kicked in. On several weekends, Jeffrey and his “weekend Warrior” daughters built a zip line from the kitchen to the bedroom. The zip line had a cart made of tinker toys where they could send stuffed animals and flying through the air, thankfully their cat, Lexi, exceeded the weight limit of the zip line and was not sent on this adventure. Campfire stories were created by Jeffrey and told through a stuffed monkey named “Schweetheart” who spoke in an Australian accent. The tales were told to the circle of stuffed animals and his precious girls. Reading quality books to the girls as they were young children grew their passion for reading today. Jeffrey graduated from “Pancake King” to the esteemed title of “Waffle King” perfecting Sunday morning breakfast waffles for the family. Fun adventures include the backyard slip-n-slide where Jeffrey needed a few trial runs to stand up at the end of the runway to avoid hitting their fence. One of their fondest memories is taking all the cushions off the couches and chairs with all pillows in the house to build a “nest” in the middle of the living room. Emma and Natalie with their “Daddo” and all the stuffed animals hung out in the nest to occasionally watch a football game. Easter egg hunts were especially fun, once the girls found their first egg, this would include a clue as to where the next egg would be found. The girls would search their home for all their eggs and eventually find their prized Easter basket filled with candies and toys. Jeffrey was fearless when it came to creativity with the girls. Of course, forts were made from the kitchen chairs and quilts as a cool hang out place. Christmas was very special as the girls would wake to find signs that Santa had visited that night. The fireplace chimney would have cotton ball fluff from Santa’s beard, the celery stalks has a bite from the reindeer, cookies had bites from Santa, and a new present from Santa was always in the middle of the living room waiting for them. Needless to say, Jeffrey would proclaim that his greatest achievement is raising his two daughters.

Jeffrey has carried forward the family gene of artistic talent. He had a passion for woodworking and scrapbooking. His wood creations included wood planters, book cases, computer cabinets, and a beautiful cushioned bench. His pumpkin carving skills reflected his creativity and artistry. He designed and created a “vending machine” costume the family has used for over 10 years. Jeffrey has created scrapbooks for the family to enjoy for years to come. Jeffrey’s love of guitars and music came from his father. Ed gave Jeffrey his first guitar around age 10. Musical talent runs in his family, Jeffrey would enjoy creating music with his family and friends. He had one year of guitar lessons later in life to sharpen his skills. This love of creating music was a peaceful, reflective passion that filled his home.

At the age of 10, Jeffrey took it upon himself to help his mom by mowing the lawn. This lone act grew into a lifelong passion for the perfect lawn and gardening. In the last 3 years, the flower garden in his yard has been a family passion, always looking forward to the next set of plants to peek their heads up from the ground after a long winters nap.

Jeffrey and Joseph would spend their summer vacations in San Diego with their Grandma Rosie. During these summer visits they spent many days at the beach, playing with neighborhood friends and eventually Jeffrey roller-skating at the local rink where he met Kathy Short. Over several summers they would skate and hang out with their friends and become pen pals that that lasted through their high school years. 30 years later, after his divorce, the two would meet again after Jeffrey took a chance to contact his childhood love. With the foundation of their friendship from many years ago, they picked up where they left off, writing letters, endless e-mails, long phone calls and eventually Katherine moving to Texas to be Jeffrey’s wife. These soulmates found that it’s possible to create and enjoy a lifetime of love with their blended families in the brief years they had together. Katherine and Jeffrey were baptized and are members of Compass Christian Church in Colleyville, Texas. Again, music played a hand in their decision to call Compass their home as the worship team spoke to their hearts. Their faith in God has guided their relationship and embraced them through Jeffrey’s journey to be with our Lord.

Jeffrey is survived by his daughter, Emma Smith of Denton, Texas; daughter, Natalie Smith, of Mansfield Texas; wife, Katherine Smith, of Euless Texas; mother, Bonnie Sanders of Wendell, Idaho; father, Edward Smith, and step-mother, Donna Smith of Addison, Texas; brother Joseph Smith, of San Diego, California; sister Jessica Kivlin and brother-in-law Robert Kivlin of Arlington, Texas; brother Joshua Smith and sister-in-law Courtney Smith of Arlington, Texas; nieces Ryleigh Smith and Harper Kivlin; nephews, Carter Smith, Grayson Smith, and Jackson Kivlin.

The visitation will be held from 5:30-7:30 p.m. on Friday, July 6, 2018. The Funeral Service will be held at 3 o’clock p.m. on Saturday, July 7, 2018 at Bluebonnet Hills Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will follow in Bluebonnet Hills Memorial Park

Online condolences may be made by visiting www.bluebonnethills.com . If you wish to send floral condolences in honor of Jeffrey Smith, you may call Dr. Delphinium Designs and Events, 214-525-1284 or donations to Compass Christian Church Cancer Support, please visit www.mycompasschurch.com.