Henry Clay Smith II

1953 - 2022

HENRY CLAY SMITH II

August 5, 1953 - March 15, 2022

Named after his grandfather, Henry Clay Smith II was born in San Francisco, CA, to Emuil and Ruby Smith of Oklahoma on August 5, 1953. On that cool summer day, it was forever clear that his spirit was larger than life and destined to bring a smile to every person he would meet.

Not long after his birth, Henry's parents moved the family to Pixley, CA, where his elementary-school friends were instantly captivated by his loving and funny nature that brought laughter and a tiny bit of fondly-remembered childhood mischief to the playground. When the family moved to Delano, CA, in 1959, Henry's cheerful disposition carried into his adolescent years, where one would often find him on excursions with his dad or playing with his toy cars-a joyful pastime that continued with his grandchildren until God called him home in the early hours of March 15, 2022, in Bakersfield, CA.

A devout Seventh-Day Adventist throughout his entire life, Henry attended Monterey Bay Academy and Bakersfield Adventist Academy, where he excelled as a track athlete and graduated from the latter in 1971 before attending La Sierra University that autumn. He initially had hopes of becoming a dentist but altered course and returned to Delano, CA, in 1977 and soon joined the Delano Fire Department. For all that knew him, this was a career change that perfectly matched his selfless and generous personality.

Henry proudly served a total of 28 years as a firefighter in both Delano Fire Department and, after moving to Bakersfield, CA, in 1986, the Kern County Fire Department, where he spent most of his career at Kern County Fire Station 34 and then retired as Fire Captain at Kern County Fire Station 53. It was through the Fire Department where Henry met his devoted wife of 23 years, Annette Davidson Smith.

In 1999, Henry and Annette married in the beautiful town of Harmony, CA, surrounded by a small gathering of their closest family and friends. They enjoyed spending time with their family and traveling to new places, often with Henry's two best pals in tow: his trusty fifth-wheel trailer and his loyal dog Peanut. As dedicated members of the Bakersfield Central SDA church for decades, their unconditional love for each other remained strong through Christ, and as his wife adoringly says, Henry changed me for the better.

If you ever crossed paths with Henry, whether it was for a brief moment or for a lifetime, your spirits were inevitably lifted. It might have been an unexpected gift or his laugh that filled a room. Whatever the memory, one thing is for certain: It left an indelible imprint on your soul.

Henry was predeceased by his father Emuil H. Smith and his sister Emma Lee Stevenson.

He is survived by his wife, Annette D. Smith; his mother, Ruby J. Smith; his children, Melinda and her partner Ryan, Amy, Aaron, Wilson and his wife Nicole, Ashley and her partner Daunte, and Dylan and his wife Teysi; his grandchildren, Lincoln Aurelius, Riyan Saniya, Aaron, Ariana, Zariah, Bradon, Taurus, Wilson Jr., Derrick, Carter, Prince, and Cedric; his sister Eloma Jean and her husband Ron Hill; his brother Mike and his wife Michelle; his nephews and nieces, Ron Jr., Karla, Michell, Mike II, and April; close friends, Anthony and Doris Martinez, Johnny Bell, and Greg Moore; and a host of loving family members and friends.

Viewing will be held on Monday, March 28, 2022, from 4:00pm-7:00pm at Mission Family Mortuary at 531 California Ave, Bakersfield, CA 93304.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, March 29, 2022, at 11:00am at Bakersfield Central Seventh-Day Adventist Church at 4201 Wilson Rd, Bakersfield, CA 93309.

Live streaming of church services: https://youtube.com/channel/UCcLgUP4VLauJQRMhfr3Fvug

Interment immediately following services at North Kern Cemetery District at 627 Austin St, Delano, CA 93215.

www.bakersfield.com/obits