Donald Lynn Smith, Sr.

Donald Lynn Smith was born January 24, 1923 in Walkersville, Maryland, the son of Beulah and Morris Lynn Smith. Graduated from Walkersville High School in 1940. Graduated from Texas Tech University in 1947 with B. S. in Agriculture, Dairy Manufactures major. Served in the U. S. Marine Corps, three years during World War II and one year in Korea. Honorably discharged with rank of Captain.

He has been associated with Bowman, Inc., a retail lumber and hardware chain, for over forty-two years, with stores in Lubbock, San Angelo, and Brownwood, Texas. Presently serving as Chairman of the Board.

He and Jean Renner were married in Lubbock, Texas on June 13, 1946. They have one son, Donald L. Smith, Jr. and four daughters, Mrs. Karen Groce, Mrs. Cindy Hogue, Mrs. Diane Martinez, and Susan K. Smith. They have nine grandchildren.

Served on the Board of Directors for the Lumbermen�s Association and served as President in 1989-90. A member of the Board of Directors for the National Lumber and Building Materials Dealers Association.

CIVIC

He served as President of West San Angelo Kiwanis Club in 1058, and was Lt. Governor of Division 7 in 1969, received the Kiwanis Legion of Honor in 1979. To date he has forty-two years of perfect attendance in Kiwanis.

He is a member of the Lubbock Executive Association.

He is an active member of the Lubbockview Christian Church, Disciples of Christ.

MASONIC HISTORY

Raised a Master Mason in San Angelo Lodge No. 570 on February 16, 1951 and is now a member of Yellowhouse Lodge No. 841, and was Worshipful Master of San Angelo Lodge No. 570 in 1958. He was District Deputy Grand Master of the 93rd Masonic District in 1983 and 1989. Received Life Certificate in 1978 and was Regional Conference Co-ordinator in 1988.

Exalted a Royal Arch Mason in San Angelo Chapter No. 170 on October 1, 1952 and is now a member of Hugh J. McClellan Chapter No. 248, Lubbock, Texas. He served as High Priest 1973-74 and was appointed Grand Captain of the Host in 1974 and District Deputy Grand High Priest District No. 38 in 1975. He received the Order of High Priesthood in 1973.

Greeted in San Angelo Council No. 110 in October 1, 1952 and is now a member of Hugh J. McClellan Council No. 183. Served as Thrice Illustrious Master 1971-72 and District Deputy Grand Master of District No. 38 in 1973. Received the Order of the Silver Trowel in 1971 and Super Excellent Master Degree in 1973. Elected R:I: Grand Principal Conductor of the Work in 1993, Deputy Grand Master in 1994, and installed Grand Master in December 1995 to serve the year 1996.

Knighted in San Angelo Commandery No. 28 on October 23, 1952 and is presently a member of Lubbock Commandery No. 60, Lubbock, Texas. Served as Commander in 1972. He was elected Grand Sentinel of the Grand Commandery K.T. of Texas in 1974, elected to the next station each year and installed as Grand Commander on June 9, 1980. He is a member of Past Commanders Association. On August 10, 1991 was installed South Central Department Commander, Grand Encampment, for a three year term. Made a Knight Commander of the Temple by Grand Encampment on September 28, 1992.

Became a charter and life member of Suez Shrine Temple, San Angelo, Texas. Served as Outer and Inner Guard. Member of Chapter No. 10, Order of the Eastern Star, San Angelo, Texas.

He is a life member of the Lubbock Scottish Rite Bodies. Knight Commander of the Court of Honor in 1985 and 33rd Degree Honorary in 1995. Works in the 18th Degree Team in the Scottish Rite.

Member of Llano Estacado Red Cross of Constantine, Lubbock, Texas. Served as Viceroy in 1980 and Sovereign in 1981. Grand Herald 1987-88.

Received the Purple Cross and made an Associate Regent of the York Rite Sovereign College of North America. Member of West Texas College No. 36.

Member of Ascension Tabernacle No. XX and Past Preceptor of the Holy Royal Arch Knight Templar Priest, elected II Grand Pillar in 1990 and now VII Pillar of the Grand College of America, Holy Royal Arch Knight Templar Priest, 1997. Installed Grand Preceptor for 1997-1998.

Member and Past Prior of Texas Priory No. 23 of the Knights of the York Cross of Honour. Elected Grand Sentinel in 1991 and progressed to Most Eminent Grand Master General of the Convent General Knights of the York Cross of Honour, on October 21, 1995 in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Other Masonic Organizations: Lubbock Chapter No. 517 National Sojourners, Almeron Dickerson Camp Heroes of 76. Allied Masonic Degrees, Grand Master�s Council A, Grand Chief of Great Chief�s Council No. 0 Knight Masons, Grand College of Rites-Great Chief 1996, Philalethes Society, Ye Ancient Order of the Corks, Masonic Order of the Bath, The Royal Order of Scotland, Member of Texas College Societas Rosicruciana in Civitatibus Foederratis and DeMolay Legion of Honour for 1996.

Obituary

DONALD LYNN SMITH, SR.

Donald Lynn Smith Sr., 84, of Lubbock passed away on May 13, 2007.

Don was born Jan. 24, 1923 in Walkersville, Maryland to Beulah Newman Smith and Morris Lynn Smith. After graduating from Walkersville High School in 1940, Don came to Lubbock to attend Texas Technological College and work for his uncle, Samuel Newman at Bowman Lumber Company. He joined the Marine Corps in 1943, serving in Okinawa and China in World War II and later in the Korean War, achieving the rank of Captain. On June 13, 1946, he married Laura Jean Renner in Lubbock, Texas at the First Christian Church. Don graduated from Texas Tech in 1947 in Dairy Manufacturers.

Most recently, Don was Chairman of the Board and Treasurer of Bowman Lumber Company. During his 60 years in the lumber industry, he was involved in the Lumberman`s Association of Texas, serving on numerous committees and as its president from 1989-1990. He was elected Lumberman of the Year for 1996-1997. Don served as director for the National Lumber and Building Materials Dealer Association from 1991-1996. Locally, he was a member of the Lubbock Kiwanis Club and received a 53 year perfect attendance award. He also served as Lieutenant Governor of Division 7 of the Texas-Oklahoma division. Don was also a member of the Lubbock Executive Association as well as a member of Lubbockview Christian Church.

The Masonic Order was very important to Don for over 56 Years. In 1951, he became a Master Mason in San Angelo, Texas. He was a Past District Deputy Grand Master of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Texas, Past Grand Commander of the Knights Templar of Texas, Past Convent General of the Knights York Cross of Honor of the United States of America, Past Master of the Allied Masonic Degrees headquartered in Washington D.C., Past Deputy Grand Governor of the York Rite College Number 36, Past Department Commander of the South Central Department Grand Encampment of the United States of America, Past Grand Precepter of the Holy Royal Arch Knight Templar Priest of the United States of America, Past Grand High Priest of the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Texas, Past Grand Master of the Grand Council of Royal and Select Masters of Texas. Don was also a 33rd Degree Mason of the Scottish Rite, and a member of the Suez Shrine in San Angelo, and a member of the National Sojourners. He was also a member of the Heroes of 76.

Don loved traveling with his family, fishing, and shelling pecans from his own trees. Survivors include his wife of 60 years, Jean; daughter, Karen Groce and husband Wayne; daughter, Diane Martinez and husband Gilbert; son, Don Smith Jr. and wife Debbie; daughter, Cindy Hogue and husband Kim; and daughter, Suzy Smith; nine grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, three dogs and six grand-dogs.

Funeral services will be held at Sanders Memorial Chapel on May 16, 2007 at 2 p.m., with Graham Childress officiating. Masonic graveside will follow at Peaceful Gardens Cemetery in Woodrow, Texas. Family suggests memorials be made to Scottish Rite Learning Center of West Texas, P.O. Box 10135 Lubbock, Texas 79408 or Lubbockview Christian Church 3301-34th Street Lubbock, TX 79410, or a favorite charity.

The family will receive friends from 7 -8 p.m., Tuesday at Sanders Funeral Home. Burial: Peaceful Gardens Memorial Park, Woodrow, (Lubbock County) Texas