Longtime Scout Executive and Rotarian, Ray Allen Smith, age 75, passed away on Sunday, December 22, 2013.
He was born on February 19, 1938, to Hazel Louise and Leo Wright Smith in Houston, Texas. Raised in the small East Texas town of Garrison, Texas, Ray learned to hunt, fish and enjoyed being a member of the Boy Scouts where he achieved the Rank of Eagle Scout. After graduating Stephen F. Austin State University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in History, he left Texas to develop lifelong Scouting skills at the Boy Scouts of America National Training Center in Mendham, New Jersey. He started his professional Scouting career in Chicago, Illinois, where he also met his wife, Elfriede. Longing to return to Texas, Ray and Elfriede moved to Arlington, Texas, where he continued his career with the Ft. Worth Boy Scout council.
After a number of years in Ft. Worth and Dallas, the family moved to Corpus Christi, Texas, where he became the Scout Executive of the Gulf Coast Council BSA. His career culminated with his being chosen the Scout Executive of the Capital Area Council in Austin, Texas, where he served for 18 years until his retirement. During a career that spanned over 40 years, he met and worked with countless volunteers and professionals. His wish was that he could once again tell each and every one of them how very much he appreciated them for their countless hours of work, talent and treasure they dedicated to the advancement of youth. Returning back to Corpus Christi, Texas, in 2002, Ray enjoyed his retirement spending time with family, talking Longhorn football, fishing in the coastal waters and hanging out with his friends at Marker 37.
Ray is preceded in death by his father, Leo Wright Smith; mother, Hazel Louise Smith; and brother, Glen Larry Smith (Anne).
He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Elfriede; daughter, Susanne; son, Robert (Lori); grandchildren, Farleigh Rae and Logan Rhys Smith; sister, Martha Ann Franklin; nieces, April (Chris) Garrett, Quentin, Christian, Lukah Garrett; and nephew, Glen Smith Jr.
Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Thursday, December 26, 2013, at Cason Monk-Metcalf, located at 5400 North Street, Nacogdoches, Texas.
Funeral services will be held at 11:30 a.m. Friday, December 27, 2013, at Cason Monk-Metcalf’s Sunset Chapel with interment to follow at Holly Springs Cemetery in his beloved East Texas.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the Boy Scouts of America, Christus Spohn, or M.D. Anderson Cancer Center.
Services are under the direction of Cason Monk-Metcalf Funeral Directors, Nacogdoches. Memories and condolences may also be offered at www.CasonMonk-Metcalf.com
