J. Smith

J. Harold Smith, 88, of Bryan, died September 6, 2004. He was born August 4, 1916, in Port Arthur, TX. He was baptized and confirmed in Trinity Lutheran Church, Port Arthur, and remained a faithful Lutheran Christian throughout his life. Mr. Smith held membership near his residence: Trinity Lutheran Church, Port Arthur, St. Andrew Lutheran Church, Houston, St. Paul Lutheran Church of Rehburg, Burton, and finally, Grace Lutheran Church, Brenham. He was active in the life of his church working in whatever capacity requested. He attended and graduated from Port Arthur High School in 1933 and Rice University in 1937 with a BBA. He was a public accountant. During WWII, Mr. Smith served his country by working in the OPA. In June 1938, he married Jessie Senada Smith in Port Arthur, where they lived until 1960, when they moved to Houston. Mr. Smith was employed by Gulf Oil Corporation for 45 years, first in Port Arthur, and later in Houston, until the time of his retirement in 1982. He was a leader at Gulf Oil Corporation, Port Arthur refinery in developing computer applications for accounting purposes. In Houston, with Gulf Oil, his final position was manager, commercial computing applications. After his retirement, Mr. and Mrs. Smith moved to Burton, where they managed a cow/calf operation. In 1992 they relocated to Kruse Memorial Lutheran Village, Brenham, where Jessie, his beloved wife, died after a short illness. Mr. Smith moved to St. Joseph Manor, Bryan, while recovering from a surgical procedure in the spring of 2000. He remained in residence there until his death. Mr. Smith is survived by his sons, Hank T. Smith of Austin, James W. Jim Smith and his wife Kay Smith of Bryan and Robert D. Smith and his wife Gloria of Houston; grandchildren, Kimberly Drake and husband Jack of Midland, Kellee Wooten and husband Bryan of Baytown, Stephanie Kolajajak and husband Mat of Brenham, Nolan Smith of Katy and Courtney Smith of Austin; sister, Geraldine McAfee of Vero Beach, Florida; six great-grandchildren; and numerous cousins, nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by his parents, William H. and Loretta Smith of Port Arthur; two brothers, Billy and Robert; and his wife, Jessie. Interment will be at 11:00 a.m. Friday, Sept. 10 in Oak Hill Cemetery in Burton. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, Sept. 10 in Grace Lutheran Church in Brenham with Pastor Matthew Jacobs officiating. Memorial gifts to Grace Lutheran Church, 1212 Jefferson, Brenham, TX 77833 or to a favorite charity are suggested in place of usual remembrances. Arrangements are entrusted to Memorial Oaks Chapel, 1306 W. Main, Brenham.