Frederick Cloyce Smith was born on November 3, 1927 in Woodbine, Iowa to Fred H. and Louise Smith. Fred lived in Woodbine for his elementary grades and moved to Independence, Missouri when he was 12 years old. He graduated from William Chrisman High School in 1945, and later in life attended Washington University in St. Louis, MO. After graduation, Fred joined the Merchant Marines and served at the tail end of World War II.
In 1946, he married Donna Crabb. They were married for 23 years. In 1971, Fred married Shirley Fieth Bass, and they were married for 51 years until her passing in 2022.
Fred had a long career in the automobile industry working as a mechanic for a number of years and then for Ford Motor Company for 16 years. He then became the owner of Fred Smith Lincoln Mercury. He owned this dealership in Independence for 24 years as well as two other Lincoln Mercury dealerships. During Fred’s time of owning the auto dealerships, he served on the National Lincoln Mercury Dealer Council and was the chairman of this national organization for several years. For a number of years after selling his dealership, Fred was involved in the used car business with his sons. He and Shirley were able to travel the world together, to places such as France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Yugoslavia, Italy, Switzerland, Canada, Russia, and many others. Most of these trips were through the Ford Motor Company.
Fred was a longtime member of the Ararat Shriner organization. Within that organization he was part of the Royal Order of Jesters, Court “54.” He served as their director for several years and greatly enjoyed the friendship of the men in the Jesters. After retirement, Fred and Shirley were able to spend their winters in Florida, enjoying friends, dancing, bridge, and sunshine. Fred volunteered at the Truman Lakewood Hospital for many years. While there, he started a wheelchair repair and maintenance program for the hospital’s more than 400 wheelchairs. He took great pride in being able to repair the many worn out and broken wheelchairs. This program continues today.
Fred had two passions in this life: One was the car business and the other was playing the game of Bridge. Given the opportunity, he would have played bridge every day of the week. He played weekly with a group of men in Lakewood for many years as well as twice weekly at the Gambier Center in Lee’s Summit until he was 95, in addition to many bridge games in his home with friends. He loved his family, he loved his friends, he loved his cars, and he loved his bridge.
Fred was preceded in death by his parents, three sisters and one brother, and his wife Shirley. He is survived by his son Charles (Teresa) of Glenwood, MO; son Stephen (Debbie) of Kansas City; daughter Nancy Kerr of Independence; stepdaughter Cheryl Kuehn of Lee’s Summit; stepson Steve (Linda) of Raymore; and 8 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
Frederick Smith passed from this life on July 10, 2024. He will long be remembered and missed by all who knew him. A visitation will be held from 9:30-11:00 followed by a Celebration of Life and Rose Ceremony at 11:00 on August 17 at the Mt. Moriah Newcomer and Freeman Funeral Home located at 10507 Holmes Rd, Kansas City, MO. Memorial contributions in Fred’s name may be made to the Shriners Hospital for Children, 2900 Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, FL 33607.
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