
George M. Smith, Jr., 90, died Thursday, May 23, 2013.
Memorial services will be at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, May 25, 2013, at First Presbyterian Church Chapel with Dr. Murray Gossett, associate minister, officiating. Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2800 Paramount Blvd.
George was born on Sept. 27, 1922, in Waco, to George M. and Emma Belle Smith. It was here that he discovered music and tennis which shaped his life. He graduated from Waco High School where his father was principal and he attended Baylor University until the Army called him into service for WW II. In 1944, he married a Tyler belle, Francis Gean Thompson who predeceased him in 1984. In 1993, he married Loretta Jean McCurdy of Amarillo. George worked in the family business Texas Sand and Gravel and founded Hale County Concrete, Hale County Sand and Gravel, and Tulia Readi-Mix all the while playing tennis across the tri-state area winning numerous tournaments making life-long friends. He retired in 1988, continuing to enjoy tennis, dancing, and good food.
He was an elder in the First Presbyterian Church of Amarillo, a member of Rotary, and the decades long Saturday night Bridge group. He also practiced his weapon of choice, his forehand smash, in every club and court in Amarillo. He taught many tennis enthusiasts this same shot.
In keeping with the song by his favorite singer Frank Sinatra, George lived his life “My Way.”
Survivors include his wife, Loretta Smith; his sister, Doris and her husband, Joe Manci of San Antonio; daughters Debby and her husband Robert Gibson of Lubbock; Mary Nelle and her husband Robert Axelson of Glenwood Springs Colorado; four grandchildren Zach Gibson and his wife Summer, Alexis Gibson, Emma Axelson, and Molly Axelson; and two great-grandchildren Adyley and Gannon Gibson; stepdaughters, Suzanne and her husband Sammy Moore, Cindy and husband, Wesley Anderson; stepson, Rev. Charles Ray Kimball and his wife, Delores; 5 step-grandchildren; and 4 step-great-grandchildren.