He was born to Sam Houston Smith and Gertrude Lenora Smith on March 14, 1941, in Bosque County. He left home in his late teens and served in the Army. After returning home, he married Betty Jo Simons on July 26,1963. They were married 46 wonderful years. He was a truck driver for most of his life until his retirement. Afterwards, he loved spending time with his family, reading his Bible, doing his Word Search and enjoying his Westerns. He also looked forward to going to the coast every year with his kids and grandkids.

John was preceded in death by his wife, his parents and brothers Frank, Clifford, Wayne and Lloyd.

Survivors include brothers Willis Lee (Dora) and Lucky (Gloria); sisters Betty Perry and Corine McPherson; sister-inlaw Jo Ann Smith; sons John Smith (LaNiece) and Paul Smith (Sheryl); daughters Brenda Stroud (Gregg) and Mary Jones (Jon); grandchildren Joshua Jones (Cheyenne), Corey Jones, Warren Stroud (Ashley), William Stroud (Sarah), Samantha Chicas (Oscar), Brandon Jones, Austin Jones (partner Montavia James), Ashley Ventura (Carlos), Paul Smith Jr., Ryan Smith and Alison Smith; greatgrandchildren Adaliena, Loretta, Wade, Annie, Ryder, Ember, Colton, Noah, Wyatt, Ryleigh, Ezra, Eli and two on the way.

John loved all his children and grandchildren and shared a special bond with his grandson, Austin.

Visitation was 6-8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 9, at Providence Funeral Home, 807 Carlos G. Parker Blvd. N.W. in Taylor, Texas. Services are 9 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 10 at the funeral home, followed by burial at Young’s Prairie Cemetery in Elgin, Texas.