C.D. Smith was born in Minneapolis, MN on January 7, 1938 to Wesley Smith and Marion Stewart Smith. He died in Galveston, TX on January 21, 2013.
C.D. built the Main Place Cinema and the Lakeshore Seniors RV Resort in Seven Points, TX. He was a board member of West Cedar Creek Municipal Utility District and East Texas Medical, and he was secretary of the Seven Points Economic Development Corporation. He was instrumental in the building of the Library at Cedar Creek Lake in Seven Points, TX.
He is preceded in death by his parents, daughter Amy Smith, and son Eric Smith.
He is survived by his first wife Suzanne, his children Charles, Leah, Marian, and Jay Scott, his sisters Sandy and Artie, seven grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren.
His second wife and her two vile children stole his legacy, disparaged his memory, and desecrated his remains.
Tribute to Grandpa C.D. (a granddaughter's perspective)
A short time back, Grandpa C.D. sent e-mails out to the family with a few stories of his childhood he had typed up for us to read. I enjoyed the stories so I sent him an e-mail back thanking him and requesting that he send more. Grandpa responded to that e-mail writing that he was reminded of a story of a time he shared with his old friend Bobby. The story he shared with Bobby involved a trek through waist-deep snow as they made their way to a very storybook-like cabin. He described Bobby as being a complainer because Bobby kept asking, "Are we there yet?" Grandpa's answer to Bobby was, "You know, the forest is dark and deep and we have miles to go before we sleep." Well, it was obvious to me at that point that Grandpa was just full of "it." This was one of his jokes. He was referencing a popular poem.
Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening
By Robert ("Bobby") Frost
Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.
My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.
He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound's the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.
The woods are lovely, dark and deep.
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.
Grandpa C.D. traveled many, many miles before he came to his eternal sleep. He traveled far enough to create a loving family. He traveled far enough to see his grandkids grow into adults and have kids of their own. He traveled far enough to accomplish great things in his professional life. My grandpa was many things. He was a pilot, an entrepreneur, a city developer, a rancher. But there was one thing that he was, above all else, an expert at. He was an expert at being my grandpa.
My grandpa had the most comforting voice I have ever heard. He didn't just speak ... he boomed! And when he spoke, no matter the content, I wanted to listen ... and I could listen all day if given the chance.
This worked out grand for me because he loved telling stories. My grandpa told stories about his family and his childhood. Many of his stories were informational, some funny, some unbelievable. But in his stories was a central theme: LOVE for his family.
I am immediately reminded of one of his stories he told very often. I'm sure all of his grandkids will recognize it. Before Grandma and Grandpa's home was renovated, it was very small and there was very little privacy. When Grandpa needed to change his clothing, he would say, "PR, please!" We all knew that that meant we were to look away. When finished, Grandpa would then say, "Do you know why I say PR?" Of course we knew why, but he would continue to tell us that PR stands for "privacy requested" and that he would use that announcement when he was a child growing up with his sisters. This ritual generally ended with Grandpa sitting down in his recliner to doze into his afternoon nap. It's funny how the small things are what we remember and love.
My grandpa's love was best shown by his giant, warm, bear hugs. His hugs could encapsulate my whole body. I could feel his sweat on my face. His hugs always ended with a big kiss on my cheek and a booming, "I love ya, baby!" I don't think he realized that he had the power to make someone feel so special just by performing one small act.
My grandpa would take my sister, my brother, my cousins, and me swimming in his lake. He'd also take us out in the barge. The joy of being with his grandkids was always evident on his face. He would smile a big, open-mouthed smile. His eyes would light up. He loved us. He must have ... because he let us drive that golf cart of his up and down every street at Lakeshore until it needed a charge. We never bothered to slow down. We were kids and put the pedal to the metal. If he received any noise complaints, he never relayed them to us.
I am grateful that my son could also share in that love. My grandpa was very proud of his great-grandkids. He beamed in their presence. Even at 4 years old, I know my son feels the loss of his Grandpa C.D., and it is because of the adoration Grandpa showed toward him and all of his great-grandkids. My grandpa's favorite time spent with his great-grandkids was when they were all together at once!
My grandpa wasn't a funny man ... he was witty! He was smart in his joke telling and often employed the use of puns. Most of his jokes were "groaners." They made you groan rather than laugh. His sense of humor is something I will always remember and cherish.
My grandpa left nothing unsaid. He told me often that he loved me and that he was proud of me. I will take those words with me as I continue my traveling through life.
A lesson I learned from my grandpa is one that he demonstrated rather than taught. He lived his entire life with purpose and with control. My grandpa always had a plan and he always had a reason. Sometimes his plan didn't quite line up with everyone else's plan, but my grandpa knew his purpose and consistently stayed his course. He was successful in most everything he did. I want to challenge my sister, my brother, and my cousins (all of his grandchildren) to follow Grandpa's lead and to live your life with purpose and control. I believe that with that mindset comes happiness and success. What a wonderful way to honor his memory.
And so I'll end where we began: with Grandpa's snowy evening in the woods. Grandpa can now enjoy the restful, lovely woods without the pull of his worldly life ... without the pull of his physical ailments ... without the pull of responsibility. My grandpa is resting, and he has earned his rest.
C.D. built the Main Place Cinema and the Lakeshore Seniors RV Resort in Seven Points, TX. He was a board member of West Cedar Creek Municipal Utility District and East Texas Medical, and he was secretary of the Seven Points Economic Development Corporation. He was instrumental in the building of the Library at Cedar Creek Lake in Seven Points, TX.
He is preceded in death by his parents, daughter Amy Smith, and son Eric Smith.
He is survived by his first wife Suzanne, his children Charles, Leah, Marian, and Jay Scott, his sisters Sandy and Artie, seven grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren.
His second wife and her two vile children stole his legacy, disparaged his memory, and desecrated his remains.
Tribute to Grandpa C.D. (a granddaughter's perspective)
A short time back, Grandpa C.D. sent e-mails out to the family with a few stories of his childhood he had typed up for us to read. I enjoyed the stories so I sent him an e-mail back thanking him and requesting that he send more. Grandpa responded to that e-mail writing that he was reminded of a story of a time he shared with his old friend Bobby. The story he shared with Bobby involved a trek through waist-deep snow as they made their way to a very storybook-like cabin. He described Bobby as being a complainer because Bobby kept asking, "Are we there yet?" Grandpa's answer to Bobby was, "You know, the forest is dark and deep and we have miles to go before we sleep." Well, it was obvious to me at that point that Grandpa was just full of "it." This was one of his jokes. He was referencing a popular poem.
Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening
By Robert ("Bobby") Frost
Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.
My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.
He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound's the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.
The woods are lovely, dark and deep.
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.
Grandpa C.D. traveled many, many miles before he came to his eternal sleep. He traveled far enough to create a loving family. He traveled far enough to see his grandkids grow into adults and have kids of their own. He traveled far enough to accomplish great things in his professional life. My grandpa was many things. He was a pilot, an entrepreneur, a city developer, a rancher. But there was one thing that he was, above all else, an expert at. He was an expert at being my grandpa.
My grandpa had the most comforting voice I have ever heard. He didn't just speak ... he boomed! And when he spoke, no matter the content, I wanted to listen ... and I could listen all day if given the chance.
This worked out grand for me because he loved telling stories. My grandpa told stories about his family and his childhood. Many of his stories were informational, some funny, some unbelievable. But in his stories was a central theme: LOVE for his family.
I am immediately reminded of one of his stories he told very often. I'm sure all of his grandkids will recognize it. Before Grandma and Grandpa's home was renovated, it was very small and there was very little privacy. When Grandpa needed to change his clothing, he would say, "PR, please!" We all knew that that meant we were to look away. When finished, Grandpa would then say, "Do you know why I say PR?" Of course we knew why, but he would continue to tell us that PR stands for "privacy requested" and that he would use that announcement when he was a child growing up with his sisters. This ritual generally ended with Grandpa sitting down in his recliner to doze into his afternoon nap. It's funny how the small things are what we remember and love.
My grandpa's love was best shown by his giant, warm, bear hugs. His hugs could encapsulate my whole body. I could feel his sweat on my face. His hugs always ended with a big kiss on my cheek and a booming, "I love ya, baby!" I don't think he realized that he had the power to make someone feel so special just by performing one small act.
My grandpa would take my sister, my brother, my cousins, and me swimming in his lake. He'd also take us out in the barge. The joy of being with his grandkids was always evident on his face. He would smile a big, open-mouthed smile. His eyes would light up. He loved us. He must have ... because he let us drive that golf cart of his up and down every street at Lakeshore until it needed a charge. We never bothered to slow down. We were kids and put the pedal to the metal. If he received any noise complaints, he never relayed them to us.
I am grateful that my son could also share in that love. My grandpa was very proud of his great-grandkids. He beamed in their presence. Even at 4 years old, I know my son feels the loss of his Grandpa C.D., and it is because of the adoration Grandpa showed toward him and all of his great-grandkids. My grandpa's favorite time spent with his great-grandkids was when they were all together at once!
My grandpa wasn't a funny man ... he was witty! He was smart in his joke telling and often employed the use of puns. Most of his jokes were "groaners." They made you groan rather than laugh. His sense of humor is something I will always remember and cherish.
My grandpa left nothing unsaid. He told me often that he loved me and that he was proud of me. I will take those words with me as I continue my traveling through life.
A lesson I learned from my grandpa is one that he demonstrated rather than taught. He lived his entire life with purpose and with control. My grandpa always had a plan and he always had a reason. Sometimes his plan didn't quite line up with everyone else's plan, but my grandpa knew his purpose and consistently stayed his course. He was successful in most everything he did. I want to challenge my sister, my brother, and my cousins (all of his grandchildren) to follow Grandpa's lead and to live your life with purpose and control. I believe that with that mindset comes happiness and success. What a wonderful way to honor his memory.
And so I'll end where we began: with Grandpa's snowy evening in the woods. Grandpa can now enjoy the restful, lovely woods without the pull of his worldly life ... without the pull of his physical ailments ... without the pull of responsibility. My grandpa is resting, and he has earned his rest.
C.D. Smith was born in Minneapolis, MN on January 7, 1938 to Wesley Smith and Marion Stewart Smith. He died in Galveston, TX on January 21, 2013.
C.D. built the Main Place Cinema and the Lakeshore Seniors RV Resort in Seven Points, TX. He was a board member of West Cedar Creek Municipal Utility District and East Texas Medical, and he was secretary of the Seven Points Economic Development Corporation. He was instrumental in the building of the Library at Cedar Creek Lake in Seven Points, TX.
He is preceded in death by his parents, daughter Amy Smith, and son Eric Smith.
He is survived by his first wife Suzanne, his children Charles, Leah, Marian, and Jay Scott, his sisters Sandy and Artie, seven grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren.
His second wife and her two vile children stole his legacy, disparaged his memory, and desecrated his remains.
Tribute to Grandpa C.D. (a granddaughter's perspective)
A short time back, Grandpa C.D. sent e-mails out to the family with a few stories of his childhood he had typed up for us to read. I enjoyed the stories so I sent him an e-mail back thanking him and requesting that he send more. Grandpa responded to that e-mail writing that he was reminded of a story of a time he shared with his old friend Bobby. The story he shared with Bobby involved a trek through waist-deep snow as they made their way to a very storybook-like cabin. He described Bobby as being a complainer because Bobby kept asking, "Are we there yet?" Grandpa's answer to Bobby was, "You know, the forest is dark and deep and we have miles to go before we sleep." Well, it was obvious to me at that point that Grandpa was just full of "it." This was one of his jokes. He was referencing a popular poem.
Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening
By Robert ("Bobby") Frost
Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.
My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.
He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound's the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.
The woods are lovely, dark and deep.
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.
Grandpa C.D. traveled many, many miles before he came to his eternal sleep. He traveled far enough to create a loving family. He traveled far enough to see his grandkids grow into adults and have kids of their own. He traveled far enough to accomplish great things in his professional life. My grandpa was many things. He was a pilot, an entrepreneur, a city developer, a rancher. But there was one thing that he was, above all else, an expert at. He was an expert at being my grandpa.
My grandpa had the most comforting voice I have ever heard. He didn't just speak ... he boomed! And when he spoke, no matter the content, I wanted to listen ... and I could listen all day if given the chance.
This worked out grand for me because he loved telling stories. My grandpa told stories about his family and his childhood. Many of his stories were informational, some funny, some unbelievable. But in his stories was a central theme: LOVE for his family.
I am immediately reminded of one of his stories he told very often. I'm sure all of his grandkids will recognize it. Before Grandma and Grandpa's home was renovated, it was very small and there was very little privacy. When Grandpa needed to change his clothing, he would say, "PR, please!" We all knew that that meant we were to look away. When finished, Grandpa would then say, "Do you know why I say PR?" Of course we knew why, but he would continue to tell us that PR stands for "privacy requested" and that he would use that announcement when he was a child growing up with his sisters. This ritual generally ended with Grandpa sitting down in his recliner to doze into his afternoon nap. It's funny how the small things are what we remember and love.
My grandpa's love was best shown by his giant, warm, bear hugs. His hugs could encapsulate my whole body. I could feel his sweat on my face. His hugs always ended with a big kiss on my cheek and a booming, "I love ya, baby!" I don't think he realized that he had the power to make someone feel so special just by performing one small act.
My grandpa would take my sister, my brother, my cousins, and me swimming in his lake. He'd also take us out in the barge. The joy of being with his grandkids was always evident on his face. He would smile a big, open-mouthed smile. His eyes would light up. He loved us. He must have ... because he let us drive that golf cart of his up and down every street at Lakeshore until it needed a charge. We never bothered to slow down. We were kids and put the pedal to the metal. If he received any noise complaints, he never relayed them to us.
I am grateful that my son could also share in that love. My grandpa was very proud of his great-grandkids. He beamed in their presence. Even at 4 years old, I know my son feels the loss of his Grandpa C.D., and it is because of the adoration Grandpa showed toward him and all of his great-grandkids. My grandpa's favorite time spent with his great-grandkids was when they were all together at once!
My grandpa wasn't a funny man ... he was witty! He was smart in his joke telling and often employed the use of puns. Most of his jokes were "groaners." They made you groan rather than laugh. His sense of humor is something I will always remember and cherish.
My grandpa left nothing unsaid. He told me often that he loved me and that he was proud of me. I will take those words with me as I continue my traveling through life.
A lesson I learned from my grandpa is one that he demonstrated rather than taught. He lived his entire life with purpose and with control. My grandpa always had a plan and he always had a reason. Sometimes his plan didn't quite line up with everyone else's plan, but my grandpa knew his purpose and consistently stayed his course. He was successful in most everything he did. I want to challenge my sister, my brother, and my cousins (all of his grandchildren) to follow Grandpa's lead and to live your life with purpose and control. I believe that with that mindset comes happiness and success. What a wonderful way to honor his memory.
And so I'll end where we began: with Grandpa's snowy evening in the woods. Grandpa can now enjoy the restful, lovely woods without the pull of his worldly life ... without the pull of his physical ailments ... without the pull of responsibility. My grandpa is resting, and he has earned his rest.
C.D. built the Main Place Cinema and the Lakeshore Seniors RV Resort in Seven Points, TX. He was a board member of West Cedar Creek Municipal Utility District and East Texas Medical, and he was secretary of the Seven Points Economic Development Corporation. He was instrumental in the building of the Library at Cedar Creek Lake in Seven Points, TX.
He is preceded in death by his parents, daughter Amy Smith, and son Eric Smith.
He is survived by his first wife Suzanne, his children Charles, Leah, Marian, and Jay Scott, his sisters Sandy and Artie, seven grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren.
His second wife and her two vile children stole his legacy, disparaged his memory, and desecrated his remains.
Tribute to Grandpa C.D. (a granddaughter's perspective)
A short time back, Grandpa C.D. sent e-mails out to the family with a few stories of his childhood he had typed up for us to read. I enjoyed the stories so I sent him an e-mail back thanking him and requesting that he send more. Grandpa responded to that e-mail writing that he was reminded of a story of a time he shared with his old friend Bobby. The story he shared with Bobby involved a trek through waist-deep snow as they made their way to a very storybook-like cabin. He described Bobby as being a complainer because Bobby kept asking, "Are we there yet?" Grandpa's answer to Bobby was, "You know, the forest is dark and deep and we have miles to go before we sleep." Well, it was obvious to me at that point that Grandpa was just full of "it." This was one of his jokes. He was referencing a popular poem.
Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening
By Robert ("Bobby") Frost
Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.
My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.
He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound's the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.
The woods are lovely, dark and deep.
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.
Grandpa C.D. traveled many, many miles before he came to his eternal sleep. He traveled far enough to create a loving family. He traveled far enough to see his grandkids grow into adults and have kids of their own. He traveled far enough to accomplish great things in his professional life. My grandpa was many things. He was a pilot, an entrepreneur, a city developer, a rancher. But there was one thing that he was, above all else, an expert at. He was an expert at being my grandpa.
My grandpa had the most comforting voice I have ever heard. He didn't just speak ... he boomed! And when he spoke, no matter the content, I wanted to listen ... and I could listen all day if given the chance.
This worked out grand for me because he loved telling stories. My grandpa told stories about his family and his childhood. Many of his stories were informational, some funny, some unbelievable. But in his stories was a central theme: LOVE for his family.
I am immediately reminded of one of his stories he told very often. I'm sure all of his grandkids will recognize it. Before Grandma and Grandpa's home was renovated, it was very small and there was very little privacy. When Grandpa needed to change his clothing, he would say, "PR, please!" We all knew that that meant we were to look away. When finished, Grandpa would then say, "Do you know why I say PR?" Of course we knew why, but he would continue to tell us that PR stands for "privacy requested" and that he would use that announcement when he was a child growing up with his sisters. This ritual generally ended with Grandpa sitting down in his recliner to doze into his afternoon nap. It's funny how the small things are what we remember and love.
My grandpa's love was best shown by his giant, warm, bear hugs. His hugs could encapsulate my whole body. I could feel his sweat on my face. His hugs always ended with a big kiss on my cheek and a booming, "I love ya, baby!" I don't think he realized that he had the power to make someone feel so special just by performing one small act.
My grandpa would take my sister, my brother, my cousins, and me swimming in his lake. He'd also take us out in the barge. The joy of being with his grandkids was always evident on his face. He would smile a big, open-mouthed smile. His eyes would light up. He loved us. He must have ... because he let us drive that golf cart of his up and down every street at Lakeshore until it needed a charge. We never bothered to slow down. We were kids and put the pedal to the metal. If he received any noise complaints, he never relayed them to us.
I am grateful that my son could also share in that love. My grandpa was very proud of his great-grandkids. He beamed in their presence. Even at 4 years old, I know my son feels the loss of his Grandpa C.D., and it is because of the adoration Grandpa showed toward him and all of his great-grandkids. My grandpa's favorite time spent with his great-grandkids was when they were all together at once!
My grandpa wasn't a funny man ... he was witty! He was smart in his joke telling and often employed the use of puns. Most of his jokes were "groaners." They made you groan rather than laugh. His sense of humor is something I will always remember and cherish.
My grandpa left nothing unsaid. He told me often that he loved me and that he was proud of me. I will take those words with me as I continue my traveling through life.
A lesson I learned from my grandpa is one that he demonstrated rather than taught. He lived his entire life with purpose and with control. My grandpa always had a plan and he always had a reason. Sometimes his plan didn't quite line up with everyone else's plan, but my grandpa knew his purpose and consistently stayed his course. He was successful in most everything he did. I want to challenge my sister, my brother, and my cousins (all of his grandchildren) to follow Grandpa's lead and to live your life with purpose and control. I believe that with that mindset comes happiness and success. What a wonderful way to honor his memory.
And so I'll end where we began: with Grandpa's snowy evening in the woods. Grandpa can now enjoy the restful, lovely woods without the pull of his worldly life ... without the pull of his physical ailments ... without the pull of responsibility. My grandpa is resting, and he has earned his rest.
