Gerald “Gus” Wayne Smithwent to be with his Lord and Savior surrounded by his family at home on March 26, 2020 at 5:30 a.m., at the age of 79. Gus began his journey on June 24, 1940 in Yoakum, Texas. He was the youngest of eight children born to Bernhard Reuben Schmidt “Ben R. Smith” and Hattie Regina Meyer.
Guswas married to his best friend and love of his life, Sandra LaVonne Snider, on April 24, 1960 at Messiah Lutheran in San Antonio, Texas. Gus and Lavonne were the definition of a life full of love the past sixty years.
Survivors include his wife, LaVonne Smith of San Antonio;children, Leslie Smith Ehlinger (Kevin) of San Antonio, Kristine Smith Scott (Calvin) of Keller, Laura Smith Wigley (Daron) of San Antonio, Jeff Smith (Denise) of Pipe Creek;grandchildren, Jena Smith of Hurst, Megan Connally (Derek) of League City, Travis O’Brien of San Antonio, Beth Smith of Pipe Creek;great-grandchildren, Corbin Moody of Hurst, Laney, Devyn and Champ Connally of League City;brother, Clyde Smith (Joyce) of San Antonio; numerous sisters-in-law as well as.numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and countless friends who thought of him as family.
Gus was preceded in death by his parents;brothers, Harvey, Bennie, Jimmy, Charles, Donald Smith and his sister, DeLois “Dee” Williamson.
Gus was a man of God who taught his children to pray and dedicated his children, their spouses and grandchildren to God. Our fondest memory has always been large family gatherings where he would begin with prayer and blessing of the food. Gus was known as an avid hunter and a man who worked with his hands his entire life. He spent his younger days in western swing bands, playing lead and bass guitar. He was a business owner for forty-five years in the HVAC and appliance industry and spent a large portion of his retirement in his new-found hobby of designing and crafting knives. He is best known as a doting husband, father and grandfather who loved his family beyond all else.
Visitation will be Tuesday, March 31, 2020 from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Tondre-Guinn Funeral Home in Castroville. Family will accept visitors but ask that you visit www.tondre-guinn.com for limitations on group size caused by COVID-19 Virus.
The family will have a private Graveside Service at San Fernando Cemetery III (Roselawn) on April 1, 2020 with Pastor Ron Hill presiding.
Honorary pallbearers: Jeff Smith (son), Calvin Scott (son-in-law), Daron Wigley (son-in-law), Kevin Ehlinger (son-in-law), Travis O’Brien (grandson), Corbin Moody (great-grandson), Derek Connally (grandson-in-law), Mike Smith (nephew).
Arrangements by Tondre-Guinn Funeral Home.