W.L. "Levi" Smallwood

Obituary for W.L. "Levi" Smallwood, Trustee Emeritus

W.L. "Levi" Smallwood was born October 28, 1918, the son of G.S. "Gus" Smallwood and Ira Laroe.

He was born in Liberty City, TX formerly known as Hog Eye. He was valedictorian of Onalaska High School and attended Lon Morris College. Mr. Smallwood served in the United States Marines during World War II.

W.L. "Levi" Smallwood has been instrumental in the development of this community and is beloved because of his life of service. Levi served on the board of San Jacinto Community College since 1977, but his commitment goes back even further. He was a member of the original steering committee for San Jacinto College, helping to gain support for its formation in 1960. After serving the board for 30 years, Smallwood retired and was named emeritus.

A former board chairman, Smallwood chaired the Building Committee. He was a founding member of the San Jacinto College Foundation Board of Directors. He also served on the Pasadena ISD Board of Trustees for 13 years and was a former board chairman.

Smallwood was the 1995 Trustee of the Year for the Western Region of the Association of Community College Trustees and served as Texas state chairman for the organization. His civic activities included the Pasadena Rotary Club, with 27 years as a Rotarian and achieved the status of Paul Harris Fellow. Mr. Smallwood also served with the American Heart Association, the Boy Scouts of America and the Pasadena Rodeo Association. He was a member of the Blue Lodge of the Scottish Rite. He was named by the Junior Chamber of Commerce as "Pasadena Citizen of the Year".

Mr. Smallwood spent 44 years in the maintenance department at ARCO and then worked numerous years as a consultant and inspector. He also served 27 years with the volunteer Pasadena Fire Department, including serving as fire chief. For numerous years, he was an instructor at Texas A&M Firefighters Training School.

The health and physical education building on the South Campus of San Jacinto College is named in his honor.

Levi is preceded in death by his beloved wife Clarice of 64 years, in 2003 and his son, Michael Maness Smallwood in 1984. He is survived by son Andy Smallwood and his wife Anita, and by daughter-in-law Phyllis Smallwood. Levi is further survived by grandson, Bryan Smallwood and granddaughters, Kathrynn and Baylee Smallwood.

In lieu of usual remembrances, the family would encourage donations in Mr. Smallwood's name to the Rotary Foundation of Rotary International, the San Jacinto College Education Foundation or First Methodist Church of Pasadena Building Fund.

The family will welcome visitors on Monday, May 7th from 5 - 8 PM at Rosewood Funeral Home 3939 Pasadena Blvd. in Pasadena, Tx. Funeral services for Mr. Smallwood will be on Tuesday, May 8th at 9:30 at First Methodist Church of Pasadena 1062 Fairmont Pkwy. Interment will be at 3 PM at Atoy Cemetery in Atoy, Texas. Mr. Smallwood's Sunday School Teacher and friend, Bob Fawcett will officiate. Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.rosewood.cc under current services.