Harold Smith

Harold (Smitty) Smith died at Schowalter Villa on August 4, 2017 in Hesston, Ks due to natural causes. He was 94. Harold was born on September 28, 1922 in Moulton, Alabama to his parents, Luther and Lula Smith. He attended Moulton High School for two years before joining the Army Air Corps in 1940 at the age of 17. He served in World War II from 1940-1945, having flown 22 missions as a waist gunner on B-17’s. He was a Staff Sargent when receiving an honorable discharge on July, 1945. He married Thelma R. Ratzlaff on June 4, 1943 in Jackson, Mississippi, while serving in the Army Air Corps. After his discharge he and Thelma moved to Hutchinson, KS where he worked for Southwestern Bell Telephone Company. Later he ran a Sinclair Service Station, then worked for the Farmer’s Commission Company in Hutchinson. After farming for a couple of years at the home place in Moulton, Alabama he returned with his wife and two boys to Hutchinson, KS. He worked again for the Farmer’s Commission Company, as well as American Investors Insurance and Southwurth Printing in Hutchinson. He retired from the CO-OP in Pratt, Kansas and moved to Muskogee, Oklahoma in 1982 and later to Wagoner, Oklahoma in 1984. He and Thelma moved to Hesston, Kansas in 2006 where he lived until his death. Harold loved to play golf and even won some tournaments. He also loved to fish, played church softball and was a good bowler. He was an avid Rook player (perhaps a fanatic). He loved K-State football and supported his boys in their sporting activities. Don’t think he ever missed a Buhler High School football game when Jim and Richard played there. He also served on the Buhler School Board. Harold loved collecting coins and accumulated a marvelous coin collection. Smitty is survived by his sons, Jim (Mary Lee Wiens) of Hesston; Richard (Joleen) of Hutchinson; Kevin of Merriam; Lindsay (Katie Kingery-Page) of Manhattan; his brother Dwight of Reno, Nevada; eight grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. Harold was preceded in death by his parents, wife (Thelma), two daughter-in-laws (Dianne and Priscilla) two brothers (Grant and Maynard) and three infant children. There will be a visitation on Monday evening, August 7, 2017 from 5 to 7 PM in the Chapel at Schowalter Villa. Mr. Smith will be buried in a private ceremony on Tuesday morning, August 8, 2017. A memorial service will be held at the Schowalter Villa Chapel on Tuesday, August 8, 2017 at 10:00 AM. All are invited to attend the memorial service. Should you want to provide a memorial gift please donate to the Schowalter Villa Good Samaritan Fund.

Harold Smith

September 28, 1922 - August 4, 2017