Smith

James Stephen Smith passed away unexpectedly in Winchester on Jan. 12, 2019 at the age of 25. Stephen was born on Oct. 28, 1993 in Houston to James Dennis Smith and Leslie Stiglets Smith.

He is preceded in death by grandparents, James Samuel and Dixie Sue Smith of Carrollton, Mo. and grandmother, Rosa Mabel Farhat Pavlicek of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.

Stephen is survived by parents Dennis and Leslie Smith, brothers, Christopher Stiglets and Matthew Smith, grandparents, Gerald and Wendy Beaver, and grandfather, Richard Pavlicek. He graduated from Dulles High School in 2012 and later from Texas State University in 2016 with a degree in Economics.

Stephen was an avid athlete, having played football throughout his educational career. His love and passion of the sport began in middle school and extended through his time with the Texas State Bobcats. The dedication Stephen put forth and the lessons he learned from his time as an athlete were things that he always carried with him and applied to every aspect of his life.

More recently, he gained an interest in further developing leadership and communication skills, having pursued leadership courses and becoming involved with Toastmasters. Giving back to the community was important to Stephen and he was a regular donor to Shriners Hospital for Children. He also recently joined the Exchange Club of Sugar Land to find further ways to give back to those in need.

A visitation is scheduled for Friday, Jan. 18, 2019 from 5 to 8 p.m. at The Settegast-Kopf Company at Sugar Creek, 15015 Southwest Fwy, Sugar Land, Texas 77478.

The funeral service will be held on Saturday, Jan. 19, 2019 at 11 a.m. at the Sugar Land First United Methodist Church, 431 Eldridge Road, Sugar Land, Texas 77478, with a reception to follow.

Pastor W. Martin Nicholas will officiate the ceremony. Following the reception, a funeral procession will leave to Forest Park Westheimer cemetery at 12800 Westheimer Rd, Houston, Texas 77077. Family and friends are welcome to attend.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Shriners Hospital for Children (www. shrinershospitalsforchildren. org) or Champions Kids Camp (www.championskidscamp.org), causes that were important to Stephen and to our family.