Henry Albert Smith, Sr.
After four years battling leukemia, Henry Albert Smith, Sr., passed away Sept. 22, 2007, at his home in Pagosa Springs, surrounded by his family.
Henry was born Oct. 16, 1936, in Rapid City, South Dakota, to Harry and Blanch Smith, a sawmill owner and a teacher.
From an early age, education played an important part in Henry's life. He attended a one-room school in Hill City, South Dakota, where his mother taught sawmill workers' children. Under the shadows of Mount Rushmore, the students watched the famous sculptures take shape.
Henry's family moved to Pagosa Springs in 1946. His father opened a mill, the Harry Smith Lumber Company, and Henry spent many years working every facet of the operation. He felled trees, set choker and skidded logs. As young as age 13, he drove log trucks to the Porcupine, Square Top, Archuleta Mesa and Pagosa Springs mills. He also delivered lumber to the Duke City Lumber Company in Albuquerque, N.M.
During this same time period, Henry hauled railroad ties from his father's mill in Pagosa Springs to Pagosa Junction where they were loaded on trains for shipping.
Henry graduated from Pagosa Springs High School in 1954. A year later he joined the Air Force. He was stationed in Yuma, Ariz., from 1955-1957. In 1958, he received his private pilot's license.
He spent one year at Pueblo Community College. The next three years, he attended the University of Northern Colorado. He graduated with both a bachelor's and a master's degree in special education and school administration.
After graduation, Henry taught special education for a year in Brighton, Colo., and served as Southeast Elementary School's principal for five years. He moved back to Pagosa Springs in 1973 to accept the job as principal of the elementary school.
Over the next several years, Henry built a strong special education program. His reputation for innovative ideas and his commitment to children drew students from many districts.
Henry's community involvement was strong. He was instrumental in creating the Airport Board at Stevens Field; he helped start the Archuleta Water Company; he was a member of the Lions Club; and he helped implement a bilingual program at the elementary school.
In 1993, at age 55, Henry retired from education to do something else he dearly loved — operating heavy equipment. He drove a snowplow on Wolf Creek Pass the winters of 1994 and 1995, then went into full-time excavation work — building foundations, installing sewer systems, building roads.
Henry and Judy opened the 160 West Adult RV Park in 1989. Due to its popularity, they expanded in 1993. They ran the park for six months of the year and traveled the other six months. They prospected in Arizona, another one of Henry's passions, and enjoyed the beaches of Mexico until he was diagnosed with leukemia in June of 2003.
Henry was preceded in death by his parents, Harry and Blanch Smith. He is survived by his wife, Judy; son, Henry Albert Smith, Jr.; daughters, Naoma Ingo and Nicol Houghland; son-in-law, Eric Houghland; stepsons, Floyd McKee and wife, Lori, John McKee and wife, Jode; and grandchildren, Alex and Lauren Houghland, Tayler and Carson McKee, and Kyler and Kaden McKee.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Henry's name at the Bank of the San Juans for the elementary school's Special Education program.
A memorial service for Henry will take place at 1 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 14, at the community center, followed by a luncheon and celebration of his life.