Kent Smith

Kent Houston Smith, age 60, died on Sunday, May 27th, 2012 after a courageous 2 year battle with ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease). A native Houstonian, Kent was born on September 28th, 1951 at Hermann Hospital to Joe Houston Smith & Mary Margaret "Irish" O'Harra Smith. Kent attended Poe Elementary, Lanier Jr. High and Lamar High School, graduating in 1969. At Lamar, Kent was in the National Honor Society and was a Sports Editor for the school newspaper, The Lancer. Kent cherished his time at Tulane University where many devoted and lifelong friendships were formed….especially among his ATO fraternity family. Upon graduating from Tulane in 1973, Kent moved to Chicago and worked for Alberto Culver for four years under the mentorship of Leonard Lavin.
In 1977, Kent moved back to Houston to work for Joe H. Smith Co, the business that his father, Joe, founded in 1970.
Kent & his father worked side by side for 35 years, both being 'salesmen extraordinaire' in the metals industry. Kent was an active & involved member of AFS (American Foundry Society) and was its Director from 2001-2005. He was Chairman of the AFS Texas Chapter from 1998-1999 and won an Award of Excellence in 2005 as well as the Gordon Killman Memorial award in 2008. Kent was a Lifetime Patron of FEF (Foundry Education Foundation) and was on its Board of Directors from 2006-2009. Kent was also a 25 year (1985-2009) member of the Association for Iron & Steel Technology. Kent was also very active in the Rice University Village Association and in 1978 became its Executive Director. Kent was the marketing partner with his brother Chris in developing the real estate project, Morningside Court in the Village, and this effort won the City of Houston and American Institute of Architects Distinguished Achievement award for outstanding contribution to the environment of the City of Houston.
Kent's parents were Charter Members of The Briar Club and he enjoyed spending his summers there, working an array of interesting jobs, from busboy to cook to coach of the swim team. Kent was a voracious reader and had great interest in travel, philanthropy and the arts. When Kent started courting his future wife, Carolyn, he came up with a plan to go on 12 trips together. He figured that if they could survive those 12 trips, then they could survive marriage. The 12th trip was to France for their honeymoon. Kent & Carolyn were married on October 19, 1996 and spent 15 beautiful years together. The original date for their wedding was set for October 12, 1996 but Kent & Carolyn were informed by NUMEROUS family members, all die-hard UT fans, that the date simply HAD to be changed as it conflicted with the UT / OU football game.
The biggest joy in Kent's life was the birth of his son, Clarke, on June 26th, 1998. His devotion & love for Clarke was unconditional and he was a doting dad. Their time together was sweet & special…playing golf, going fishing, traveling the world and attending sporting events. Kent was the manager of Clarke's first two West University Little League baseball teams, The Hornets & The Colts, and their mutual love of baseball was endearing. Clarke had a desire to visit all the major baseball parks in the USA and Kent happily indulged him in this endeavor…..he & Clarke were able to visit 18 out of the 30 major ballparks (60%).
Kent will be remembered for his kindness and generosity as well as his gentle, loving spirit. He was a devoted & loving husband and father… a caring son, brother & uncle… and a loyal friend. He received great satisfaction in helping others and went to great lengths to provide for his family. Kent had a sly & quick wit that complimented his boyish smile & somewhat mischievous grin as well as his contagious laugh. He had the most remarkable blue eyes that twinkled as his chest puffed up when people commented that Clarke was a "chip off the old block".
Kent was preceded in death by his sister, Cynthia Suzanne "Sunni" Smith. He is survived by his parents, Joe & Mary Smith, wife Carolyn (Goble) Smith, son, Charles "Clarke" Smith, brother Chris Smith (wife: Helen & children Stirling Alexander Smith [wife: Jackie], Aubrey Smith Valadez [husband: Mario & son Maxx] & Alyssa Smith ). He is also survived by his aunt, Jean Smith Albritton (partner: Leonard) and uncle, Max Smith (wife: Johnie) as well as numerous cousins & in-laws with whom he was very close. The family would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. Stanley Appel, Dr. Ericka Simpson, Dr. Venessa Holland and the entire ALS team "Team Hope" of The Methodist Hospital's Neurological Institute. The family would also like to thank the Muscular Dystrophy Association for their invaluable support to ALS patients as well as the ALS Association. And finally, a heartfelt thanks to Lisa Collier who lovingly cared for Kent in the last few weeks of his life.
A memorial service will be held at 2:00 pm on Wednesday, June 13th, 2012 at Christ Church Cathedral, 1117 Texas Avenue, Houston, Tx 77002 (713) 222-2493. A reception will follow in the Mellinger Room at the Cathedral.
In lieu of flowers & for those desiring, monetary gifts can be made to the following:
A Merrill Lynch account which has been set up to assist with the college education of Kent's son, Clarke. Donations to the college account should be made out to: Merrill Lynch, Carolyn Smith c/f Charles Clarke Smith UTMA and mailed to Merrill Lynch, 540 West Madison Street, Suite 2020, Chicago, IL 60661 Attn: Debbie Rhode (877) 472-9175.
Memorial donations in honor of Kent can be made out to American Foundry Society (AFS), Texas Chapter and should be mailed to: Eric R. Meyers c/o Oil City Iron Works, 814 South Main St , Corsicana, Texas 75110
Kent was a selfless "giver" in life and as an organ donor through Life Gift, he continues to give in death. Kent was a man of great integrity and his big, beautiful heart touched so many lives. He will be dearly missed by all who knew him.
The family invites you to leave fond memories or kind words at www.legacy.com