Claud Lee Smith

Claud Lee Smith went west on Wednesday, July 16, 2014. Service: At his request, no services or memorials will be held. He was born on Sept. 7, 1934, into a show business family who performed in rodeos and wild west shows all over the country in the 1930s and 1940s. He was billed as the world's smallest cowboy. At age 9 months, his father would tie him in the saddle on a big white horse and he would ride in the grand entry. He later became a trick rider and trick roper and also had a trained Brahma bull that would perform many tricks. He was a cowboy and a ranch hand as a young man. After graduation from Diamond Hill High School in Fort Worth in 1953, his father helped him become a Union ironworker in Local 263 in Fort Worth. He worked all over the United States building bridges, TV towers and multi-story buildings. In the 1960s, he spent some time in the Panama Canal Zone working on a bridge across the Panama Canal. He retired from ironworking after 32 years. He later worked as a construction inspector for the University System in Arlington. He served his country in the U.S. Army from 1957-1959. He always had a lot of fun. Survivors: He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Barbara; a son, Lee; and two sisters.