Gerald Smith

Gerald Smith, 79, of Pampa, passed away May 16, 2018 in Pampa.

Graveside services will be held at 10:00 AM Saturday, May 19, 2018, at Fairview Cemetery, with Rev. Roy King, retired minister, officiating. Masonic rites are courtesy of Pampa Masonic Lodge #966 AF & AM.  Arrangements are under the direction of Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors.

Mr. Smith was born May 30, 1938 in Pampa to Mary Jo and Willie Smith. Gerald was a life-long resident of Pampa. After high school he enlisted in the Army National Guard, serving from 1960-1964. He met Linda Dodd and they married in 1967 in Pampa, and enjoyed 45 years of marriage before her death in 2012.

Gerald was employed by the U. S. Postal Service from June 1, 1956 till April 1, 1995 retiring after 40 years of service as a Postal Supervisor. He was a longtime member of the Pampa Masonic Lodge #966 AF&AM, earning his Master Mason in 1973.

When his children were younger, he enjoyed volunteering with the Pampa Optimist Club, coaching boys basketball and girls softball. He was a man of many interests, including collecting sports cards, coins, and stamps since his youth. An avid sports fan, you could find him on many weekends watching Texas Ranger baseball or Dallas Cowboy football. He also took pride in playing for the Pampa Harvester football team and boxing as a feather-weight as a young man.

Gerald and Linda enjoyed traveling to Las Vegas in their retirement where he loved to play blackjack. He was a lover of all animals, feeding the birds in his front yard every morning – and any other stray that came along. He thoroughly enjoyed the outdoors where he liked to fish and maintain his vegetable garden each and every summer. He took great pleasure and pride in cooking and preparing meals for family and friends who will greatly miss his food and love of story-telling.

Survivors include his two daughters, Kim Kingston and husband Joel of Hobbs, New Mexico, and Susan Cabler and husband John of Pampa; a granddaughter, Kelly Kingston of Lubbock; two grandsons, Dustin Mathis of Pampa, and Caleb Kingston of Hobbs, New Mexico; a niece, Pam Sybert of Denton; a nephew, Terry Leffingwell and wife Cindy of Leander; and his loving dog, Maggie.

Gerald was also preceded in death by his parents; four sisters, June Allen, Eloise Rankin, Karla Caldwell, and Alice Nicholson; and grandson, Kyle Kingston.

The family would like to express their gratitude to Pampa Nursing Center and Interim Hospice for their loving care of Gerald over the past four months.

Memorials may be made to PAWS, PO Box 2095, Pampa, Texas 79066-2095