He was born on June 1, 1936 in Dalhart, Texas to Emmett and Myrtle Smith. He was raised and went to school in the Dalhart area. At 16 years of age he joined the Army and served during the Korean War as a paratrooper. Most of his adult life was spent working on ranches as a foreman. He worked on the Miller ranch in New Mexico, the Tony Vey ranch at Butter Creek, (Tony Vey was a good friend of his), and the Longview ranch which became The Rocking J W at Corning Calif., and The Art Linkletter Ranch in Nevada to name a few. He had rodeoed some, and trained cutting horses. He enjoyed going to the Casino’s, playing pool, playing cards, storytelling, and telling jokes.
He is survived by his ex-wife, Sue Smith (married 22 years); three stepdaughters, Rebecca Castillo, Roxanne Burgess, and Amanda Richardson, all of Hermiston; sister, Sheryl Raines of Tillamook; brother, Roger Smith of American Falls, Idaho; 9 grandchildren; and many nieces & nephews. He was truly one of the All-American Cowboys who rode horses, not four wheelers, and believed in running a ranch the old cowboy way. He was a good man, a good cowboy, ranch hand, and story teller, with a vast knowledge of horses and cattle from their nose to their tail, and he will be missed.
There will be a celebration of life held at Hermiston Terrace on Saturday Nov. 8, 2014 at 10 a.m. All are welcome. Disposition was by cremation.
Please sign the condolence book at burnsmortuaryhermiston.com.
Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in care of arrangements.
