Douglas "Smitty" , "Red" Leon Smith

A Texan through and through, he was born in Caddo Mills to John Earl Smith and Jeffie Rose. He had a younger brother as well as a stepsister and stepbrother acquired when his father married again. Doug lived all his life in Texas, mostly around the Fort Worth area, except for his years in the US Navy in World War II.

Like many children raised in the Great Depression, Doug became a man used to hard work. With only a sixth-grade education, his success at his many endeavors was extraordinary. Whether a policeman, security guard, rancher, trader, or bus driver he was respected and prosperous.

Soon after returning from WWII, Doug was recruited into the Fort Worth police department where he was known to many as Red. He was part of the team that started the first canine unit, and his picture with his beloved Tinker can be seen in calendars and books about the department. In addition to also serving in the horse patrol, Doug had many assignments before retiring in 1987 after 26 years of duty. He had a plethora of great stories, but one achievement that was truly extraordinary was that in all those years, he never had to fire his weapon in order to control a situation. In fact, he had a way with people that helped diffuse many bad situations by talking instead of fighting (just ask him about the “hulk” that voluntarily gave himself into custody rather than fight!).

Douglas somehow found the time to develop a career in ranching on a small acreage raising cattle, horses (including miniature horses), and goats (and rabbits?). He sold hay to many people in the area, mowed pastures and roadways, and generally found ways to draw on his knowledge of outdoor work.

In all of this, he developed a talent for buying and selling. In fact, this became a fun and lucrative activity for him and the many friends that he made along the way. He found items in various ways including auctions, garage sales, radio programs such as Trading Post, and more. If you wanted something or had something to sell, Doug just might be able to help you.

Doug liked people and had many friends from all walks of life. He loved a good party and especially liked to dance. In fact, it was on a dance floor that he might the love of this life, Betty Wofford, and they spent the next 35 years together dancing and winning dance contests costumed as Raggedy Ann and Raggedy Andy. It was a romance so strong that Douglas’ passing on February 28th, exactly nine years after Betty was only a small surprise – especially after he said a few days before that he had a date with Betty!

Douglas had no children, but he is mourned by many, many relatives and friends.

Services for Doug will be Held at Laurel Land Funeral Home, 7100 Crowley Rd., Fort Worth, TX 76134 on Monday March 14, 2022 at 11:00 AM in The Chapel of the Chimes. Visitation will be on Sunday March 13, 2022 from 1:00PM - 3:00PM. Interment will be at Laurel Land Memorial Park, Fort Worth following services.