Howard Smith

(From Daniel Funeral Home)

Howard Monroe Smith, age 92, of Lamar, Missouri, passed away March 4, 2026, at the Missouri Veteran's Home in Mt. Vernon, Missouri, surrounded by his family.

Howard was born March 9, 1933, in Liberal, Missouri. He was the youngest of seven children born to Ralph Smith and Verla (Reed) Smith. Howard graduated from Liberal High School with the Class of 1951. He served in the United States Army from 1953 to 1955, serving 16 months in Korea. Howard was a truck driver for Safeway Stores in Kansas City, Kansas, for 35 years, as well as a farmer who raised cattle.

Howard's greatest love was the Lord, followed by his family, his horse Billy, water skiing, raising cattle and telling stories. Howard was a good storyteller. He especially loved telling of the time, while serving in Korea he and four other friends, all from Barton County, enjoyed Thanksgiving dinner together. Another one he enjoyed telling was when he drove his mom, (his teacher for four years) to school each morning while in grade school. He was awarded the FFA State Farmer Award in 1951, received four awards while serving in the U.S. Army, and earned a 32-year Safe Driver Award. Howard retired in 1990 and focused on farming and his family.

Howard married Erma Lea Harper on August 6, 1953, at the Christian Church in Lamar, Missouri. Together they raised three children, Tim Smith, Kim Smith, and Mike Smith. They lived in the Kansas City area until 1978, when they moved back to the Lamar area. Erma passed away in October of 1986 after almost 33 years of marriage.

On August 19, 1989, Howard married Joanna Rae (Foster) Cross. With this marriage, Howard gained two stepsons, Jon (Christine) Cross and Mark (Marilyn) Cross; and two stepdaughters, Diana (Robert) Enright and Karen Cross (Sam Eldridge), along with several step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren. Joanna passed away in May of 2020.

Survivors include his son, Mike Smith and wife Beverly of Lamar, Missouri; and daughter, Kim Smith of Springfield, Missouri; four grandchildren, Grant Smith of Kansas City, Missouri, Grett Smith of Springfield, Missouri, and Mallory Smith and Madelyn Smith, both of Lamar.

Howard was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Erma; his second wife, Joanna; one son, Tim Smith; five sisters, Sue Williams, Irma Mae Ledford, Beth Rader, Marlyn Sauerwein, and Marie Howard; and two brothers, Jim Smith and Reed Smith.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, March 14, 2026, at Daniel Funeral Home in Lamar, with burial to follow in Barton City Cemetery in Liberal, Missouri.

The family will receive friends beginning at 9:00 a.m., Saturday, March 14, 2026, until service time at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made payable to the Missouri Veteran's Home in Mt. Vernon, Missouri in care of Daniel Funeral Home.

Condolences may be shared at www.dfhlamar.com