Harold Smith

(From Clark Funeral Home)

Harold Edward Smith, Sr. was born February 12, 1934 in Springdale, Arkansas, the son of Charles Glenard and Helen Lucille (Croft) Smith. He entered into eternal rest with his Lord and loved ones gone before him on November 4, 2020 in Granby, following a sudden and short illness at the age of 86. 

Harold graduated from High School in 1952 from Springdale, Arkansas. Following graduation from high school he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, severing from 1953-1957. During his active duty, he was on the A.C. Cockrell DE366 in the Philippine Sea and USS Yorktown CVA-10 and was an Electronic Technician. 

While on furlough on January 28, 1955, he married Yvonne Cecil Lenhart and returned to duty and was honorably discharged from the Navy in 1957.

 

 Following his discharge he moved from California to Neosho where he took a position with Rocketdyne as an electronics engineer and his main duty was testing the Apollo rocket engines during the space race of the 1960's. While at Rocketdyne he bought an 80 acre farm south of Neosho in 1965 where he raised his family and resumed farming, raising crops, cattle, hogs and horses. 

After the closing of Rocketdyne in the late 60's he began hauling livestock around the area for the local farmers which led him to driving professionally over the road many years for JTL Trucklines based in Springdale, Arkansas. He later fulfilled a passion of his as a farm and commercial auctioneer and worked for and owned his own Real Estate business and brokerage before having to fully retire due to health issues in 2009. 

Harold was very active in his faith and church duties, serving as Sunday school secretary, adult Bible class teacher, Deacon, Trustee and Elder with the Assembly of God and a current member of the Harvest Community Church of Avilla, Avilla, Missouri, where he and Yvonne lived prior to the Granby House. 

Harold is survived by three sons, Eddie (Brenda) Smith of Alice, Texas; Glendell (Krystle) Smith of Stark City and Wesley (Jeanie) Smith of La Russell, Missouri; twelve grandchildren; twenty five great grandchildren and one sister, Doris La Verne Smith Schneider of Rogers, Arkansas. In addition to his loving wife of 62 years, Yvonne, he is preceded in death by a daughter, Susan Yvonne Smith Bradford; grandson, Clayton Nathaniel Smith and his parents.

GRAVESIDE SERVICE

Oakwood Cemetery
Wednesday, November 11, 2020
9:30 AM
19883 Jaguar Rd.
Neosho, MO

Friends may call at the funeral home to pay their respects on Tuesday from 9 am until 5 pm. Military honors will be conducted at the graveside services. Contributions in memory of Harold may be made to Ozark Christian Missions of Neosho, c/o Clark Funeral Home, PO Box 66; Neosho, MO 64850.