Loyd Gifford Smith

L.G. Smith passed away on Sunday, November 2, 2025. A visitation will be held at Fry-Smith Funeral Home in Tuscola on Tuesday, November 4 from 5:00-7:00pm. A graveside service will be held on Wednesday, November 5 at 3:00pm at McBee Cemetery.

Loyd Gifford Smith, Jr., affectionately known by all that knew him as "L.G.". was born on July 31, 1941. L.G. lived his entire life in Cedar Gap, Texas. He was the son of Loyd and Edna Mae Smith, and grew up in the iconic rock house and filling station on the Callahan Divide on U.S. Highway 83/84.

With his dad, he grew up raising cattle and running the filling station. During this time, he learned to be an excellent mechanic and welder, to run a bull dozer, and became good at anything he endeavored to do. As a teenager and young man, his '58 Chevy could out-run any other "hot rod" in South Taylor County.

A graduate of Jim Ned High School in 1959, L.G. was an athlete, playing on the first two Jim Ned football teams as a lineman, including the first Jim Ned team to win a district championship. Though he never attended college, L.G. was an avid fan of the Texas Longhorns, following and rooting for them to the end of his days.

After the death of his mother, and after his dad moved to Tuscola, L.G. continued to run Hilltop Station and to raise cattle. During modern days, when most fuel stations are self-serve, L.G. continued to pump gas for his customers and to extend credit to those who needed it. As a cattleman, L.G. knew his business, and often helped neighbors with their cattle. He was a good neighbor.

Though in outward demeanor he sometimes seemed rough and opinionated, L.G. was quick to help all those who needed help. Hilltop Station became a favorite gathering place for all of his friends. Though not openly religious, he was a believer, exhibiting kindness and gruff love to all who truly needed it.

He will be missed...