A. Smith

A. W. Smith, 92, or Burton, passed away August 19, 2008 at his residence. A.W. was born in Refugio, Texas to Leroy and Genivia Kring Smith on November 14, 1915. He was president of Nowsco, Inc. of Houston, where he invented a patent for high pressure liquid nitrogen for oil well production, which is still in use today. A. W. graduated from high school in 1936 and went to work in the oil business in Midland, Texas, where he met and became good friends with George W. Bush, Sr. On January 8, 1940, he was married to Ann Messner in Corpus Christi, Texas. He and Ann belonged to the Motor Home Club, and traveled all over the United States, as well as to foreign countries. A.W. enjoyed fishing at his Tiki Island beach home, and also loved to hunt deer with his family and friends in Sonora, Texas. He will be missed by his pets, Tammy, Shelby, and Collette. A.W. was a member of the Latium and Wesley-Greenvine Fire Departments and a member of Woodman of the World, as well as the Masonic Lodge #623 of Midland, Texas. He was also a member of St. John''s United Church of Christ of Burton, Texas. Special thanks go to caregivers Charlotte Atwell, Quincy Linnstaedter, and Gloria Wolford for the great care they gave A.W. at home. He was preceded in death by his wife, Ann, on Dec. 1, 2005, as well as five brothers, his parents, Leroy and Genivia Smith, and two sisters. Survivors include a son and daughter-in-law, Don and DeeDee Smith of Brenham, two grandchildren, Scotty and Vicki Smith of Brenham, Lisa and Daniel Krolczyk of Chappell Hill; three great-grandchildren, Brittney Smith of Denver, Colorado, Quinton and Gunnar Smith of Brenham, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. The funeral service for A. W. Smith will be at 10:00 a.m., Friday, August 22, 2008 at Memorial Oaks Chapel with Pastors Glen Schoeneberg and Virgil Pecht officiating. Burial will be in Prairie Lea Cemetery in Brenham. The family will receive visitors at Memorial Oaks Chapel from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. Thursday evening, August 21. Masonic graveside services are under the auspices of Graham Lodge #20 AF & AM. Memorials may be given to building funds at St. John''s United Church of Christ of Burton, Tx., or to Hospice Brazos Valley. Serving as pallbearers are Terry Smith, David Smith, Dr. Reggie Goodman, Mark Hundemer, Albin Bolcerek, and Buddy Tracy. Honorary pallbearers will be his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Memorial Oaks Chapel, 1306 West Main, Brenham. To view the obituary online or to post a tribute to the family, visit www.memorialoakschapel.com.