Owen Smith

Owen Smith, 99 a longtime Fort Sumner resident died Saturday, May 10, 2008 at his home. Owen was born January 15, 1909 in Madill, Oklahoma to the home of Oscar and Maude (Kent) Smith. At the age of 9 he moved with his family from Oklahoma to Fort Sumner. He rode a mule from Oklahoma to Texico. When one of the horses on the wagon team died, his mule was put in its place and Owen walked along the wagon from Texico to Fort Sumner. After arriving in Fort Sumner he helped support his family working in a doughnut shop. His family farmed in the Fort Sumner valley. Owen worked for many years as a cowboy on many New Mexico ranches; he also worked as an oilfield roughneck in the Permian basin. During World War II, Owen worked as a plumber at the Fort Sumner Air Base and the Roswell Air Base. For many years he worked as a custodian and bus driver for the Fort Sumner Schools. He earned the nickname of “Snuffy” from the school children. He retired from the Fort Sumner Schools. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Fort Sumner; a charter member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, and an honorary member of FFA. Owen enjoyed working with livestock and gardening. Owen was preceded in death by his parents; seven sisters and one brother. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and friend and will be missed by his wife Hazel Smith of the home in Fort Sumner; a daughter Gladys Fanning and husband Charles of Roswell; a son Herbert Smith and Mary of Fort Sumner; a brother J.C. Smith and his wife Ruth of Roswell; nine grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren; 5 or more great-great-grandchildren along with many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. “He was loved by his family and friends and will be missed by all. Owen was a true cowboy till the end.” Funeral services will be held at 1:00 PM Thursday, May 15, 2008 from the First Baptist Church in Fort Sumner with Rev. Coy Brewer officiating. Burial will follow in the family plot at Fort Sumner Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Frank Martz, George Gonzales, David Vansickle, Ruben Lucero, Justin Ingram, and Dennis Peterson. Honorary bearers will include Arvin Gilman, Randy Martinez, Mike Cones, Isaiah Padilla, Isaac Sanchez and all his many friends. The family prefers memorial contributions to the Baptist Children’s Home, P.O. Box 629, Fort Sumner, NM 88130 in memory of Owen Smith. Arrangements are under the direction of Chavez Funeral Home, 804 N. Fifth Street; Fort Sumner, NM. To place an online tribute or sign the guest book visit www.chavezfuneralhome.com