- Date Of Birth: December 24, 1936
- Date Of Death: April 10, 2016
- State: Texas
Sammy D. Smith, December 24, 1936 – April 10, 2016.
Sammy Doyle Smith left his earthly home bound for his eternal rest on April 10.
Born on Christmas Eve in 1936 near Spur, Texas to Marvin and Virginia (Lucas) Smith Rogers, Sammy grew up with a love of the outdoors and an enthusiasm for hunting and fishing. He graduated Salutatorian from Rotan High School in 1955. After attending Texas Tech College, Sammy enrolled in the US Navy and served for 4 years. He was assigned to the destroyer USS Shelton where he served as a radar operator while at sea and ran the Mailroom while in port. Through the Navy, he saw exotic parts of the world in complete contrast to the red mud of West Texas, including Pearl Harbor, the Philippine Islands, Hong Kong, Singapore, and several ports in Japan and Australia. His ship was the first to port in Brisbane, Australia since the end of World War II. The Order of Neptune, earned for crossing the equator on a naval vessel, remained one of his most treasured awards.
Following his service in the Armed Forces, Sammy joined the Texas Department of Public Safety on January 22, 1960. He spent eight years in Borger, TX in the Driver’s License and Highway Patrol services. In 1968 he moved his family to La Mesa, TX where he spent two years as the county’s Highway Patrol Sergeant. He transferred in January 1970 to Bell County where he served for 20 years as the Highway Patrol Sergeant. During his days with DPS, Sammy competed on the State’s pistol shooting teams where he won countless awards and trophies. He competed six times at the National level among state and county police officers. In 1971, he brought a National Championship home to Texas .
Upon retiring from DPS in July 1989, Sammy functioned as Chief of Police of UMHB for 10 yrs.
Sammy was also an active member of First Baptist Church, Belton. He volunteered in various areas of the church body. He enjoyed working with Preschoolers and College Students, especially the International students.
Sammy was an avid reader and challenged himself daily with crossword puzzles. He additionally played 42 like he shot his pistol with calculated precision. His favorite pastime, however, was golf. Almost daily, one could find him at a local golf course tenaciously perfecting his swing. He played with several local golf associations, finding tremendous fulfillment traveling to golf courses across the state with Central Texas Grasshopper. He also journeyed to the British Isles for several golf vacations, but the highlight of these trips was playing the Old Course at St Andrews Scotland.
Whether professionally or personally, Sammy lived his life as a servant leader.
Greeting him into eternity are his parents, his late wife, Loretta (Messick), his brother Floyd and sister-in-law Mary, and brother Forrest and sister-in-law Francis.
Carrying on his legacy of selfless service are his wife, Nina (Deason) of Belton, sons Michael and his wife Cindy of Franklin, Mark and his wife Brenda of Moffat, daughters Lisa Newman of Temple and Shelly Moehlenbrock and her husband Charlie of Belton.
Grandchildren include Erin Smith, Whitney Newman, Dillon Newman and wife Kylie all of Temple, Eric Smith and wife Haley, Emily Lawson and husband Aaron all of Franklin, Garrett Smith and wife April, Caroline, Georgia, and John Zachary Moehlenbrock all of Belton.
Great-grandchildren include Kennedi, Brody, Braydan, Brooklyn, and Mckenlie
