Military Graveside Rites: Friday, Nov. 21st at 11:00 a.m. at the Eastern Montana Veterans Cemetery in Miles City.
H. I. Smith, known as Smitty, passed away Nov. 13th., after a brief stay at Holy Rosary Extended Care.
He was born Oct 5th, 1925 the oldest son of Gladys and Ivan W. Smith in Wichita Falls, Texas where he grew up and graduated from high school. He worked part time while going to school and enjoyed the usual things young men do, including sports and racing motorcycles, and the company of his younger brother George.
He enlisted in the United States Navy and served in the Pacific Theater as a radioman aboard the Cruiser USS Vincennes. He was proud to have served in WWII and stayed in touch with many of his former shipmates. In later life he was pleased to visit and tour the new Vincennes, a guided missile cruiser and the fourth US ship to carry the proud name. After his honorable discharge, he returned to Texas and completed a school in electronics. He then went to work as a Seismographic Recorder for an oil exploration company. This work brought him to Eastern Montana, where he met and later married Annette Smith (Stark) on Feb. 17th, 1951. When the exploration boom was over in the area, he worked for Clark Cummings who ran Cys Cycle Shop and learned the Locksmith trade. He also ran the Beacon Carter Service Center owned by R.D. Shipley.. In 1954 he and Annette started Smittys Lock Key and Speedometer Service, later known as Smittys Lock and Key. He worked on safes, locks, lawnmowers, bicycles and other repair work assisted part time by his wife, Annette, and his Stepson Leonard Smith. He was associated with life long friend Ted Dale who was an automotive mechanic and preceded Smitty in death. Smitty and Ted had a great relationship and they worked as a team racing Model T Fords in Eastern Montana. They were among the founders of the Lucky Seven Go Kart Club which organized and supported several years of races at the Alta Club, Hathaway, and finally built an asphalt track at the old Leon Park.. Smitty was a founder and primary contributor to the Eastern Montana Search and Rescue.
After he began caring for Annette during her long battle with cancer, he moved the business to his home garage at 817 S. Custer to be close to home. During those years he worked largely at Montana Power in Colstrip, doing their lock work, and where he made many friends. Sometimes he didn't know whether to root for the Cowboys or the Colts. After he retired he and Annette traveled in their motor home until she was unable to travel. In later years he "Snowbirded" to Bullhead City, Arizona where he also had good friends and fond memories. He had belonged to the VFW, the American Legion, the Moose Lodge and the Turtle Club.
He was preceded in death by his parents Gladys and Ivan Smith and in 1995, by his wife Annette Smith.
He is survived by his Brother George Smith and his wife Bobbie, of Wichita Falls, TX, and two nieces and a nephew in Texas. Locally he is survived by his special friend and care giver Francis Miller, her children, Patsy Herzog, Cecelia Mills of Broadus, Jim and John Salazar of Miles City, Tom Salazar of Laurel, and their families, and by his Stepson, Leonard Smith and his wife Ardie, and their children David and Valerie Smith of Miles City, and Christine Smith of Billings, and their families.
Condolences may be sent to the family by visitingwww.stevensonandsons.com
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