Smith

George Opal Smith, 93, of Port Lavaca, died Sunday, May 27, 2018. A private memorial will be held, as requested and clearly expected by the departed, June 30, 2018 at 6 p.m., in La Grange, where the family will spread his ashes on the land he loved. Again, as requested by the departed, no special service will be held, no viewing will take place, no guests will be received. But his loved ones would like it to be noted that one, even from the beyond we would never disregard the wishes of a man we loved and respected to this degree, and two, if it were up to us he would have a service and ceremony with all honors worthy of who he was on this earth. It is not lost on us that while many who bring little goodness to the world depart with much pomp, circumstance and banging of drums, some of the best humanity has to offer leave with a whisper. We love you, George Opal Smith, and we will mourn your loss all the days of our lives. George was born on April 15, 1925 in Ellisville, Miss. After his service, he attended the University of Houston in Texas. While in Houston, George met the love of his life, Robbie Jane Kerr, and they married on Aug. 25, 1947. The pair moved to Port Lavaca where George helped build Alcoa plant. While at Alcoa he became a lubrication engineer, a shift foreman, then a foreman for all the powerhouses for his shift as well as maintenance supervisor before retiring. George was born a fighter and worked for everything he had, effectively changing his family tree forever for the better. George joined the Navy in 1942 having just turned 17, just after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. He served in the Naval Amphibious Corps from Guadalcanal to Tokyo Bay. George was an active member in the NRA, a member of the Bay Gun Club, the VFW, a proficient award winning marksman, an outstanding guitarist, a friend to all animals and children, known for frequently playing innocent, harmless practical jokes on friends, family and neighbors to give himself a chuckle, admired and respected by all fortunate enough to know him. He was charismatic and kind, offering a helping hand to anyone who needed it. George was also a remarkable marathon runner, completing his fastest marathon at the age of 74 in 3 hours 26 minutes. George was preceded in death by his parents, Lester W. Smith and Vergie Garrick in Ellisville, Miss. and his mothers in heart and spirit, his Aunt Verdee Byrant and his Aunt Onie Smith, his beloved sister Juanice, his niece Patty, and the love of his life, Robbie Jane Kerr Smith and many friends he missed a great deal in his later years. He is survived by sons: Lester Curtis Smith and Norman Leigh Smith; sister: Shirley Stringer; grandchildren: Julie Rowan, Christy Putty, Joshua Smith, Emily Hannah, Amy Bryant, Beau Smith; great grandchildren: Brittany, Cailin, Joshua, Jacob, Evelyn, John, Daniel, Miranda, Zachary, Austin, Elisabeth, Abigail, Allison, Marina and Alyssa.