Obituary:
Famed Texas Ranger Zeno Smith found dead In yard
Death claims famed Lawman
Long-time Texas Ranger Zeno Smith, a well known figure in South Texas law enforcement for more than three decades, was found dead at his home Wednesday morning after suffering an apparent heart attack.
The near-legendary lawman, an ailing 70 years old and victim of several other heart seizures in recent years, was found lying in the back yard of his home at 30 Kenmar Lane by neighbors early Wednesday morning. He was dead on arrival at Robert B. Green Hospital shortly after 6:30 a.m. Long identified by the black, broad brimmed western hat he wore most of the time, the 34-year veteran of the Rangers helped solve some of the biggest criminal cases in South Texas.
"Our files, don't show that type of thing, but I know from personal knowledge that he really handled some rough ones," a Department of Public Safety. personnel officer in Austin recalled.
Born in rural Colorado County in 1902, Smith joined the Rangers in Eagle Lake. He later served in Austin, Lubbock, San Angelo, Hondo and Pleasanton.
It was in San Antonio, however, during his longest continuous assignment, where he made his reputation. "His fellow law officers throughout Texas respected and admired him, and criminals learned to fear him," a letter of commendation in his file in Austin reads. Dozens of such letters fill the file, along with a resolution passed by the Texas House of Representatives at the time of Smith's retirement in 1969. The resolution urges DPS officials to "retain him at all costs" because his "notable record and outstanding service" make him irreplaceable.
Following his retirement, Smith, unable to stay out of law enforcement, signed on as a Deputy Sheriff in Wilson County. He held that job until his death.
He married the former Leona Duke in San Antonio in 1937; she preceded him in death in 1967.
San Antonio Express, pages 1 & 2, June 1972
Submitted by Ernest Mae Seaholm
Photo from Express
Famed Texas Ranger Zeno Smith found dead In yard
Death claims famed Lawman
Long-time Texas Ranger Zeno Smith, a well known figure in South Texas law enforcement for more than three decades, was found dead at his home Wednesday morning after suffering an apparent heart attack.
The near-legendary lawman, an ailing 70 years old and victim of several other heart seizures in recent years, was found lying in the back yard of his home at 30 Kenmar Lane by neighbors early Wednesday morning. He was dead on arrival at Robert B. Green Hospital shortly after 6:30 a.m. Long identified by the black, broad brimmed western hat he wore most of the time, the 34-year veteran of the Rangers helped solve some of the biggest criminal cases in South Texas.
"Our files, don't show that type of thing, but I know from personal knowledge that he really handled some rough ones," a Department of Public Safety. personnel officer in Austin recalled.
Born in rural Colorado County in 1902, Smith joined the Rangers in Eagle Lake. He later served in Austin, Lubbock, San Angelo, Hondo and Pleasanton.
It was in San Antonio, however, during his longest continuous assignment, where he made his reputation. "His fellow law officers throughout Texas respected and admired him, and criminals learned to fear him," a letter of commendation in his file in Austin reads. Dozens of such letters fill the file, along with a resolution passed by the Texas House of Representatives at the time of Smith's retirement in 1969. The resolution urges DPS officials to "retain him at all costs" because his "notable record and outstanding service" make him irreplaceable.
Following his retirement, Smith, unable to stay out of law enforcement, signed on as a Deputy Sheriff in Wilson County. He held that job until his death.
He married the former Leona Duke in San Antonio in 1937; she preceded him in death in 1967.
San Antonio Express, pages 1 & 2, June 1972
Submitted by Ernest Mae Seaholm
Photo from Express
Obituary:
Famed Texas Ranger Zeno Smith found dead In yard
Death claims famed Lawman
Long-time Texas Ranger Zeno Smith, a well known figure in South Texas law enforcement for more than three decades, was found dead at his home Wednesday morning after suffering an apparent heart attack.
The near-legendary lawman, an ailing 70 years old and victim of several other heart seizures in recent years, was found lying in the back yard of his home at 30 Kenmar Lane by neighbors early Wednesday morning. He was dead on arrival at Robert B. Green Hospital shortly after 6:30 a.m. Long identified by the black, broad brimmed western hat he wore most of the time, the 34-year veteran of the Rangers helped solve some of the biggest criminal cases in South Texas.
"Our files, don't show that type of thing, but I know from personal knowledge that he really handled some rough ones," a Department of Public Safety. personnel officer in Austin recalled.
Born in rural Colorado County in 1902, Smith joined the Rangers in Eagle Lake. He later served in Austin, Lubbock, San Angelo, Hondo and Pleasanton.
It was in San Antonio, however, during his longest continuous assignment, where he made his reputation. "His fellow law officers throughout Texas respected and admired him, and criminals learned to fear him," a letter of commendation in his file in Austin reads. Dozens of such letters fill the file, along with a resolution passed by the Texas House of Representatives at the time of Smith's retirement in 1969. The resolution urges DPS officials to "retain him at all costs" because his "notable record and outstanding service" make him irreplaceable.
Following his retirement, Smith, unable to stay out of law enforcement, signed on as a Deputy Sheriff in Wilson County. He held that job until his death.
He married the former Leona Duke in San Antonio in 1937; she preceded him in death in 1967.
San Antonio Express, pages 1 & 2, June 1972
Submitted by Ernest Mae Seaholm
Photo from Express
Famed Texas Ranger Zeno Smith found dead In yard
Death claims famed Lawman
Long-time Texas Ranger Zeno Smith, a well known figure in South Texas law enforcement for more than three decades, was found dead at his home Wednesday morning after suffering an apparent heart attack.
The near-legendary lawman, an ailing 70 years old and victim of several other heart seizures in recent years, was found lying in the back yard of his home at 30 Kenmar Lane by neighbors early Wednesday morning. He was dead on arrival at Robert B. Green Hospital shortly after 6:30 a.m. Long identified by the black, broad brimmed western hat he wore most of the time, the 34-year veteran of the Rangers helped solve some of the biggest criminal cases in South Texas.
"Our files, don't show that type of thing, but I know from personal knowledge that he really handled some rough ones," a Department of Public Safety. personnel officer in Austin recalled.
Born in rural Colorado County in 1902, Smith joined the Rangers in Eagle Lake. He later served in Austin, Lubbock, San Angelo, Hondo and Pleasanton.
It was in San Antonio, however, during his longest continuous assignment, where he made his reputation. "His fellow law officers throughout Texas respected and admired him, and criminals learned to fear him," a letter of commendation in his file in Austin reads. Dozens of such letters fill the file, along with a resolution passed by the Texas House of Representatives at the time of Smith's retirement in 1969. The resolution urges DPS officials to "retain him at all costs" because his "notable record and outstanding service" make him irreplaceable.
Following his retirement, Smith, unable to stay out of law enforcement, signed on as a Deputy Sheriff in Wilson County. He held that job until his death.
He married the former Leona Duke in San Antonio in 1937; she preceded him in death in 1967.
San Antonio Express, pages 1 & 2, June 1972
Submitted by Ernest Mae Seaholm
Photo from Express
Gravesite Details
Wife: Ida Leona Duke Smith, Texas Ranger
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