Robert Earl Smith, 57, of Dayton, Texas, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, January 24, 2019, in Midland, Texas. He was born on December 22, 1961, in Liberty, Texas to Barbara and Floyd Smith, Jr. Robert graduated from Pearland High School in 1980. While in high school, he also played on the football team and was involved in building trades.
Robert was a hard worker, compassionate, dedicated and influential man. He was a great mentor to MANY. Robert was passionate about sports and volunteered his time for several years for the Dayton Youth Sports Association. He coached little league football, baseball, basketball and softball to hundreds of young boys and girls. Robert was an avid NASCAR fan and pursued fishing and playing golf. The hobby he loved most was spending time with his family and his large extended family.
At the time of his death, Robert had been working as a rotating maintenance supervisor for the past 5 years at Targa in Mont Belvieu. Before that, he worked at Enerflex in Houston for 30+ years. Robert and his wife Cheri were members of Trinity Baptist Church in Dayton. He will be deeply missed by all that knew and loved him.
Robert was preceded in death by his father Floyd Smith; his father-in-law Larry Powell; his brother-in-law John Naranjo; his sister-in-law Theresa Coble; his maternal and paternal grandparents Emmitt and Fannie Carlton and Floyd and Irene Smith. He leaves behind to cherish his memory his loving wife of 36 years, Cheri Smith; his sons Kevin Coble and Travis Coble and wife Jamie; his daughters Chyann Smith and husband Justin Kelm, Stephanee Smith and Shanna Martin; his mother Barbara Smith-Gibson and husband Clyde; his mother-in-law Dixie Powell; his father-in-law Frank Heffern and wife Jeanne; his sisters Tina Kennedy and husband Carl and Rennetta Foster and husband Mike; numerous nieces, nephews and other loving relatives; and a multitude of young men and women impacted by his legacy.
Honoring the family by serving as pallbearers will be Matt Reno, James Carlton, Devin Borussheski, Todd Irving, Bruce Fraysur and Jonathon Lanier. Honorary pallbearers will be Justin Kelm, Vince Gongora, Aaron Kennedy, Ryan Kennedy, Michael Kennedy, Matthew Jares and Don Foster.
Friends are invited to visit with the family from 5pm until 8pm on Wednesday, January 30, 2019, in the chapel of Sterling Funeral Home, 602 N. Main Street in Dayton. A funeral service will be held at 2pm on Thursday, January 31, 2019, at Sterling Funeral Home. A graveside service and committal will immediately follow in Magnolia Park Cemetery in Dayton.
For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made in Robert’s honor to the America Diabetes Association by visiting http://www.donations.diabetes.org or mail to American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 15829, Arlington, VA 22215.