Published: October 06, 2008 11:25 pm            

Carl Richard Smith Jr.

Jan. 3, 1929 - Oct. 5, 2008

On Sunday, Oct. 5, 2008, at 2:30 p.m., Carl Richard Smith Jr., crossed the River Jordan with his Savior; he passed away peacefully in his home, with his family at his side.

Carl was the only child born to Carl Richard Smith Sr. and Ruth Loretta (Hundley) Smith on Jan. 3, 1929. He grew up in Kokomo with his many aunts, uncles and cousins, who were also his childhood friends.

He graduated from Kokomo High School in 1947 and attended Purdue University. On Nov. 5, 1949, Carl married his high school sweetheart, Estella “Irene” (Houser) Smith, who survives. They were preparing to celebrate 59 years of marriage next month.

Carl and Irene lived in Kokomo where they raised four children (who survive), Linda Lee Shrock, Kokomo, Abigail Lynn Smith, Atlanta, Ga., Craig Richard Smith, Kokomo, and David Allen Smith, Atlanta, Ga. Carl’s daughters-in-law, Belinda Smith and Katrina Smith, and son-in-law, Gary Shrock, also survive. The couple had eight grandchildren, Stephanie Bates, Eric Name, Stephen Name, Amy Brewer, Tiffany Rosselot, Cole Smith, Clay Smith and Kira Smith; four stepgrandchildren, Douglas Shrock, Elizabeth Shrock, Christopher Shrock and Kayla Ferguson; and nine great-grandchildren.

Carl retired from Chrysler Corp. after 31 years of service in December of 1986. He was a member of Local 1302. In the summer of 1967, at the Wesleyan Campground in Fairmount, he was radically changed when he gave his life to the Lord. On April 18, 1971, he was ordained a minister in the Faith Holiness Church.

For 20 years, Carl and Irene were “snowbirds” who resided in Florida for over half the year. He loved camping, fishing, reading, traveling, and sci-fi. For many years, the couple attended musical concerts performed by southern gospel singing quartets. They enjoyed traveling throughout the United States to attend annual quartet conventions.

The family wishes to thank all of their relatives, friends, neighbors, VNS Hospice, Senior Sitters, and Comfort Keepers for their loving help and prayers. May God bless you all.

“Remembrance is a golden chain;

Death tries to break out all in vain;

To have, to love and then to part

Is the greatest sorrow of one’s heart.

The years may wipe out many things,

But this they wipe out never.

The memory of those happy days”

When we were all together.

Services for Carl are noon Thursday at Ellers Mortuary Webster Street Chapel, 3400 S. Webster St., with the Rev. Jeffrey Harlow officiating. Burial will follow at Crown Point Cemetery, Kokomo. Friends may call 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the mortuary, and one hour prior to the service Thursday. Online condolences can be sent to the Smith family at www.ellersmortuary.com.

        

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