Stephen “Steve” Hudson Smith was born on February 22, 1947, to Dr. Harold L. Smith and Margaret Melrose (Murphey) Smith. He passed away on December 15, 2020, at age 73. Steve graduated from Robert E. Lee High School, Tyler, in 1965. He attended SMU and Texas A&M University-Commerce, where he acquired a degree in business administration. Steve had an eclectic mix of hobbies and interests; he loved sports, music, books, and he was a trivia aficionado. Throughout his life, he built extensive collections of baseball cards, music (all genres), wine, and sports memorabilia. The thing he was most proud of in his life was his honorable service in the US Army, including one year stationed in Vietnam during the Vietnam War. Steve’s love for our great country was very apparent in his daily life; he usually would not leave home without his Vietnam Veteran’s cap. He was well-known for his sense of humor and always had a joke at the ready. He was a loving and devoted husband, son, father, brother, uncle and friend and he adored his fur babies.
Steve is preceded in death by his mother, Margaret Melrose Smith and brother, Mark Calvert Smith. He is survived by his father, Dr. Harold L. Smith; wife, Karen Fulfer Smith; daughter, Shannen Michelle Jane Smith; honorary daughters, Shelby Lynn Wise, Katelyn “Katy” Elizabeth Wise; sister, Stephanie Kay Smith; special nephew, Dr. Zachary A. Smith and wife Kelsey; special niece, Victoria Smith Johnson and husband Thomas; brothers-in-law, Darryl C. Fulfer and wife Beverly, Gary B. Fulfer and wife Sharon; sister-in-law, Pam Kirby Smith; and his cats, Max and Tonks. Steve also leaves behind several beloved cousins, extended family members and friends, especially his close friends at Fresenius Dialysis Center in Kaufman. He was well loved and will be missed by all. Memorial donations may be made to the North Texas Food Bank (https://ntfb.org/) or to your favorite charity.
A memorial service will be held on Monday, December 21, 2020, at 11am at Eubank Cedar Creek Funeral Home. The family is concerned about the safety and welfare of everyone wishing to honor Steve’s memory. For this reason, the memorial service will be live-streamed so everyone has the option to attend virtually. The family emphasizes the importance of staying home, if possible. If you do plan to attend in person, please follow CDC recommendations to prevent spreading the COVID-19 virus. Masks will be required and social distancing guidelines will be followed. Masks will be available to anyone who does not have one. Thank you for your attention to this matter.
