Paul Howard Smith, 88, went to be with his Lord and Savior on March 23, 2016.
Paul was born to Howard and Grace (Drake) Smith on October 19, 1927 at home in Russell, Iowa. His siblings include Eugene Smith and Margaret Smith Danner.
Paul grew up in Russell, Iowa, living across from the school. He graduated from Russell High School in 1945. He played on the varsity basketball team, a game he would enjoy his entire life, and was a saxophonist in the High School Band. On graduation, he went to work for the CB&Q railroad in the signal division for a short time entering the United States Army. He served as an engineer in signals in Tokyo, Japan at General Headquarters. He was promoted to Cryptography as a Sergeant(T4) sending and receiving coded messages for General McArthur to bases around the globe. He was honorably discharged in 1947 and returned home. He worked again in the CB&Q Railroad until entering Simpson College in 1948. He was a member of Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity, graduating in February 1952 with a Bachelor’s degree in business administration. He joined the John Morrell Company on graduation. June 8, 1952 he married Clarice Mae Dixon, which he says made him the luckiest man alive. They lived and worked side by side until his death. Paul and Clarice traveled for six months working for the John Morrell Company settling in Red Oak, Iowa when assigned a permanent territory. Then they relocated to Des Moines where Gregory Paul was born in 1954. Paul resigned from John Morrell in 1955 to join in a farming partnership with his father-in-law, Allen Dixon. That became the family home and in Paul’s words, “the best business deal I ever made.” After two years on the farm, Dixie Ann was born in 1957 at the Wayne County Hospital.
Paul was a progressive farmer using technology and new ideas to further the success of the farm. He was an early adopter if diesel tractors, self-propelled combines, grinder-mixers, air planters, grain bins, hog nursery and production buildings, radio then cellular communications, and the use of personal computers. He cross-bred hogs and cattle to maximize growth and profit, but favored Hereford cattle and German Shepherd dogs, especially one named King.
Paul’s friendly and fun nature along with his unshakable integrity made him lifelong friends in high school, the United States Army, college, church, and the community. He was a good neighbor, always willing to help another in need. He was a loving and dedicated husband and father and the favorite of his relatives. Stories of his youth were the highlight of many family dinners. Paul’s circle of friends expanded when they traveled in the winter months as his farming career was winding down. They enjoyed meeting new couples and sharing fun times together.
Paul was a long time active member of the New Providence Baptist Church. He loved his church family and served as a Treasurer, Deacon, Youth Leader, and a Sunday School Teacher. He was particularly proud of the new church building constructed in 1981. He eagerly practiced and shared his faith even while hospitalized.
For all of Paul’s experiences and accomplishments, he was most proud of his family. His son, his daughter and their four daughters gave him so much joy as he watched them grow and become young ladies, three of them now with families of their own. Even in his last days, he talked often about the importance of a loving family. He was a very proud father, grandpa, and great-grandpa. Paul will be deeply missed, but he will be remembered for the way he lived his life.
He is survived by his wife of 63 years Clarice Mae Smith; his son, Gregory and daughter-in-law Catherine; his daughter, Dixie and son-in-law Dave Daughton, his grandchildren, Ginger Morrison and husband Will, Amber Rodgers and husband Devin, Julie Kazanowski and husband Nick, and Sabrina Smith. His great grandchildren are Donald Morrison, Dagny Morrison, Lela Morrison, Alley Rodgers, Lennox Paul Rodgers and Goldie Mae Kazanowski. Others close to him are his sister Margaret Danner, sister-in-law Emma Warrick and husband Max, nieces, nephew and a host of friends.
Born: Wed., Oct. 19, 1927
Died: Wed., Mar. 23, 2016
Visitation
6:00 PM to 8:00 PM, Fri., Mar. 25, 2016
Location: Fielding Funeral Home
Funeral Service
2:00 PM Sat., Mar. 26, 2016
Location: Fielding Funeral Home
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