Harold Smith
Funeral Services Held For Harold Smith
Harold D. Smith, 86, of Hart, Texas, also known as Granddad, the Potato Man, Barefoot Smith, and Crazy Harold, passed from this earth, Tuesday, February 9, 2016, in Olton, Texas. Family visitation was from 5-7 p.m. on Thursday, February 11, 2016, at Colonial Funeral Chapel in Dimmitt, Texas. The funeral service was held at 2 p.m. on Friday, February 12, 2016, at First Baptist Church of Hart, Texas. Burial followed in Hart Cemetery. Arrangements were by Colonial Funeral Home of Dimmitt, Texas.
Officiants at the funeral were Darwin Cox of Olton, a family friend, and Harold’s grandson, Reverend Zachary Smith of Lubbock. Neoma Williams was pianist for the service, and congregational hymns were led by Merton Knightley. Hymns were “When the Roll Is Called Up Yonder”; “Bringing In the Sheaves”; and “Victory in Jesus.”
Pallbearers were Trey Laverty, Charlie Smith, Logan Schulte, Zachary Smith, Justin Alcorta and Stanley Schulte.
Harold was born on February 17, 1929, in Erick, Oklahoma, to Jesse Ellis and Prebble (Holland) Smith. He married Faye Ellis on June 30, 1946, in Wheeler, Texas. Harold was self-employed with Smith Potato; he grew his first crop of potatoes in 1957. His passions included feeding the world with potatoes, building farms, a feedlot, homes needed for employees, roads and potato-packing sheds.
He made many trips to Mexico with loads of potatoes, other vegetables, and clothes for people living in need. He also built a pipeline in Mexico so a village could have fresh water.
He wrote letters to editors and Congress, and made trips to Washington, D.C. with his desire to feed people in poverty.
Harold also served as Castro County Commissioner for Precinct 1.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Jesse and Prebble Smith; his wife, Faye Smith; a brother, Charles Smith and wife, Carolyn; and a grandson, Dennis Smith.
He is survived by two sons, David Smith and wife Patricia of Hart, Texas, and Danny Smith and wife Becky of Olton, Texas; one daughter, Patti Vines and husband Randy of Lubbock, Texas; one brother, Don Smith and wife Roberta of Hart, Texas; five grandchildren; 14 great- grandchildren; one great-great grandchild; and numerous nephews, nieces and cousins,
The Smith family requests memorials be made to the Love Fund for his great grandson, Dawson Wayne Smith, c/o Centennial Bank, 424 Broadway, Hart, Texas 79043 and
Happy State Bank, 612 South Main, Olton, TX 79064
To sign the register book online go to www.colonialfuneralhome.org.