Lee Anderson Smith

Lee Anderson Smith, , in his 86th year, died on July 14, 2012. He was the last surviving child of eight siblings born to Clara Stulce and Robert Lee Smith of Abilene, Texas.
He succeeded in joining the Marine Corps when he was 15 years old and served seven years The training was arduous, but he forever credited it with saving his life in such Pacific battle areas as Guadalcanal, Peleliu, and Okinawa, and in the Korean conflict.
Back permanently from the wars, he commenced work on his Bachelor's and Master's degrees at TCU. He then earned a doctorate from Stanford University in geology, his specific field being paleontology. He often expressed much gratitude for the GI bill, which allowed this education.
Most of his professional work was for Exxon research center in Houston, with assignments in Tripoli and Bordeaux. In later years he established his own consultancy.
As a husband he was uniquely devoted and supportive. As a father to Christopher, who died at 17, he was a close and loving parent. Aside from his wife Elizabeth (nee Miremont), he is survived by nieces Sylvia Robison, Jeanette Holt, and Carla Wright, of the east coast; nephew Ronald Smith of Dallas; sister-in-law Jane Larsen of McLean, Va.; and cousin-in-law Peggy Beauvois of Baltimore.
Lee's (and Elizabeth's) life was enriched when "adoptive" daughter, Lynne Liberato, and her two sons -"grandsons" Callon and Benjamin Nichols - came into his life some 25 years ago.
Mass will be celebrated at 12 noon, July 18, at the funeral home, with Most Rev. John McCarthy, Bishop Emeritus of Austin, officiating. The family respectfully requests no flowers, but for those wishing, contributions might be made to Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Houston. Online tributes may be posted at
www.bradshawcarter.com.