Edward "Ed" Smith

1929 - 2021

Lubbock- Edward "Ed" Simmons Smith, Jr., 91, of Lubbock passed away on January 7, 2021. He was born May 17, 1929 in Lubbock to Edward Simmons Smith Sr. and Maudie McLaurey Smith. Ed was a 1945 graduate of Lorenzo High School, and graduated from Texas Technological College (Texas Tech) in 1949 with a bachelor's degree in International Trade. He married the love of his life, Betty Fortenberry, on December 20, 1949 in Lubbock.

Ed was an avid Texas Tech supporter and, at the time of his passing, was the longest tenured member of the Red Raider Club. At Tech he was a member of the Saddle Tramps and Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity (Las Camaradas). Ed was a lifetime farmer in Crosby, Lubbock and Floyd counties, and served on many farm related boards over the years. He was a member of First Baptist Church in Lubbock, and faithful member of the Samaritan Sunday School Class. He also served as mayor of Lorenzo for several years.

He enjoyed life to the fullest and lead an extremely active lifestyle until the end. Ed had season tickets to Texas Tech football, men's basketball, and women's basketball games since 1949 and rarely missed a game. He even attended the NCAA National Collegiate Basketball Championship Final Four games in Minneapolis in 2019 when the Tech men's team competed for the national championship.

If he did miss a Tech event it was because he was attending a sporting event for one of his four grandchildren or traveling the world. He rarely missed a grandson or great grandson's football game, basketball game, or roping event. Ed also rarely missed his granddaughters' high school and collegiate volleyball games for both Texas Tech and the University of Central Arkansas.

He introduced all of his grandchildren to the love of horsemanship and traveled with them throughout the country for both roping events as well as hunter / jumper equestrian contests. He also introduced his children and grandchildren to his love of snow skiing. He and Betty met on a college ski trip in 1948 and taught their children and grandchildren to ski at very young ages.

Another of his hobbies was dancing beginning at the age of three with his first tap dance lessons. He taught his children and grandchildren to dance and danced at all of their weddings, including his youngest granddaughter's wedding in September.

Ed loved to travel. He made sure he traveled to every state in the nation. In addition, he and Betty made numerous trips to Europe as well as travels to South America, Central America, and Canada. But his favorite destinations were always to visit his grandchildren.

He is survived by one son, Eddie Smith and wife JenniSu of Floydada; one daughter, Shelly Smith of Lubbock; four grandchildren, Eric Smith and wife Leigh of Floydada, Bonny Smith of Park City, UT, Robyn Everson and husband Eric of Little Rock, AR, and Brooke Rogers and husband Cory of Lubbock; and five great-grandchildren: Ethan Smith and Logan Smith both of Floydada, Emory Everson, Eric James Everson, and Eli Edward Everson, all of Little Rock, AR.

Ed was preceded in death by his wife Betty; his parents; son-in-law, Bonner Smith; and brother, Ronnie Smith; and sister, Mary Jo Smith.

His family suggests memorials to Texas Tech Equestrian Center (Memo: Ranch horse team) ATTN: Kim Lindsey, 5712 CR 1500, Lubbock, TX 79407.

In light of the current COVID-19 situation, the family has elected to hold a private service.

You may view an online tribute and make online condolences at www.adamsfuneral.com.