Lemuel "Lem" Jack Smith

Lem was born September 20, 1930 to Nick and Thelma Smith in Kearney, Nebraska and passed away February 13, 2015 in Victoria, Texas. He was raised in Nebraska, Missouri and Iowa. He graduated from high school in 1948 in Onawa, Iowa and soon after joined the U.S. Marines. He was very proud of his service and spent 15 months in Korea. Upon being discharged, he worked in Dallas and eventually settling in Duncan, OK for many years where he was a design draftsman for Sun Oil Co. In 1973 he moved to Corpus Christi and then to Victoria County. He was a rancher until 2006 when he retired.

He is survived by his wife, Mary Jo, of 41 years; son, Nick Smith (Charlotte) of Kannapolis, NC; daughter, Susan Mayberry; granddaughters, Isabella Rose Mayberry of Oklahoma City and Lori Bandi of Dallas; step children, Joe Keefe (Judy) of Tivoli, Sharon Martinez (Rick) of Victoria, John Keefe (Genevieve) of Huntsville and Margaret Schaar (Bobby) of Victoria; step grandchildren, Justin Surber (Mary) of Victoria, Camille Dumoit (Jeremy) of Richmond, TX, Ashley Surber of San Antonio, Melissa Miller (Trey) of Victoria, Jenna Springer (Jacob) of Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, Katherine Schaar of Victoria, Rebekah Keefe of Huntsville, Thomas Schaar of Victoria, Hannah Jo Keefe of Austin, David Keefe of Huntsville, Madeline Schaar of Victoria and Stephen Keefe of Huntsvlle; and great grandchildren, Faith and Brenna Cahill; Wyatt, Clara and Marshall Surber; Tristan, Adyson and Larkin Miller, all of Victoria.

Lem was a talented man with a beautiful bass voice; he was a square dance caller for many years, calling and teaching in several states. He loved his church and the choir and traveled for Mission trips to help others. He spent many days repairing homes after the 1998 flood in Victoria. He began woodcarving and was very encouraging to others; both adults and in the elementary schools. He served in many capacities in the Texas Woodcarving Guild, as President, Vice-President and Director and loved the sharing and camaraderie of others. He was an avid harmonica player (all by ear) and could play and sing most any song. He loved to travel, he and Mary Jo visited many countries with travel groups and by motorhome through the United States and Canada.

He was preceded in death by his parents and three brothers, Dick, Don and Bill.

Visitation will be Monday, February 16, 2015 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Colonial Funeral Home. A Memorial Service will be Tuesday, February 17, 2015, 10:00 a.m. at First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Jarrell Sharp and Rev. Marilyn Kunkel officiating.

Lem’s ashes will be spread at a later date in the San Antonio River bottom on the ranch he loved and enjoyed so much. As a family we spent many happy hours there together.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Twice Blessed Showroom Building Fund or the Mission Fund; both of First United Methodist Church.

Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.colonialfuneralhomevictoria.com