Earl Smith

Earl Thomas Smith was born on November 10, 1934, to Simon Andrew and Clara Nancy (Wake) Smith at Topaz, Missouri.

At the young age of 16, he drove his family to Washington to work in the harvest and timber. From there he grew to love traveling.

On October 22, 1953, he married Joyce Roper. To this union, two daughters were born, Ellen Kay and Rhonda Jo.

Earl always loved working in the timber industry, from stave bolts and logging to sawmills. They moved around a lot, always looking for more or better jobs.

His love of traveling led to a truck driving career. He met and married Kathy Leiber on November 27, 1978. They continued truck driving for five more years, but the timber industry kept calling him, and he went back to it. He logged for several years and later bought and operated a sawmill as long as his health permitted. He was always a hard worker.

Some things he enjoyed most were family vacations. He loved sitting around a campfire trying to get someone to race, play frisbee or talk hard times boring the grandkids!

He was saved when he was 16 at a revival at Victory Chapel. He was baptized at a later date. He was currently attending Faith Chapel Church as long as his health permitted.

He passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family.

The family would like to thank Three Rivers Hospice for care and for letting the family keep him at home.

Earl was preceded in death by three sisters and four brothers-in-law, Eunice and Pete Wheat, Velma and J.D. Williams, Vandon Easter, and Jeneita and Ross Fish.

He is survived by his loving wife, Kathy, of 46 years, two daughters, Ellen Tate and husband, Nolan, and Rhonda Rodgers and husband, Dale, five grandchildren, Jannine Homer and husband, John, Nathan Goad and wife, April, Chris Rodgers and wife, Natalie, Mindy Bell and husband, Casey, and Rebecca Foster and husband, Ty, ten great-grandchildren, Hannah VerPloeg and husband, Jamison, Kelsey Hoots and husband, Zach, Emily Goad, Gideon Foster, Eva Grace Foster, Wesson Foster, Abby Whittier, Drew Rodgers and wife, Michaela, Landon Rodgers, and Jace Rodgers, four great-great-grandchildren, William VerPloeg, Rosalie VerPloeg, Halynn Rodgers, and Kaison Rodgers, one sister, Juanita Easter, one brother, Don Smith and wife, Ann, and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends.

Earl will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.