James Henry “Bud” Smith, 82, of Lake Kiowa, Texas, passed away on March 22, 2023.
Bud was born on April 5, 1940, to Jefferson and Emma Smith in Dallas, Texas. His early years
were in Seagoville, Texas, with his parents and sisters, Zoe and Honey. Money was often tight,
but his parents took good care of everyone as they enjoyed being surrounded by family and
playing with cousins. One of his favorite things to do was to follow his Papaw around the farm,
during which he learned endless skills he would use the rest of his life. His family attended
church regularly, and he accepted Jesus as his Savior in elementary school.
Ever the entrepreneur, when he was around 8 years old, Bud started his first business, JH’s
Zipper Repair. It would be the first of many businesses he would start in his life. Bud said his
early success was probably why owning his own business was such a focus of his life.
His family moved to Midland, Texas, when Bud was in high school. At 17, he joined the Navy
and spent the next four years serving our country and sailing the world. While in the Navy,
Bud’s baby brother, Rex, was born. After the Navy, he returned to Midland, married his first wife,
Phyllis, and they had a daughter, Teri. While briefly living in Louisiana, their son, Jeff, was born.
During their time in Midland, Bud served as a police officer and even worked undercover on the
first West Texas narcotics task force.
In the early 70s, the family moved to the DFW area, where Bud and his partners started a
computer business, gaining interest in the newly developing world of computers. The business
eventually evolved and expanded to become Centurion, which produced some of the first
minicomputers and was eventually purchased by EDS.
During his Centurion days, he met the love of his life, Joann. When he and Joann married, he
gained another son and daughter, David and Lisa. Bud, Joann, and their four kids enjoyed
traveling, especially trips to the Ozarks and South Padre Island in their RV.
One of the most rewarding businesses Bud was involved in was Smith Lauren Group, a
consulting company at which he was able to use all his entrepreneurial skills to help other
businesses.
As the years passed, Bud became a proud Papaw to eleven grandchildren, whom he thought
could do no wrong. The grandkids enjoyed trips to South Padre, golf cart parades, boat rides,
fishing at Little Fox Pond, spending Fourth of July and Thanksgiving in Lake Kiowa, and having
Papaw and Granny come visit for Christmas. Bud loved and enjoyed all his grandchildren
immensely.
In their later years, Bud and Joann started a little business building and painting Lazy Susans,
which quickly grew with her artistic talent and his business savvy. They had endless fun with
their retirement business and traveled to craft shows far and wide.
While Bud started many successful businesses, his greatest sense of pride was in his children,
grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
Bud was preceded in death by his wife, Joann, his daughter, Teri Taylor, his parents, Jefferson
and Emma Smith, and his siblings, Zoe Brewer, Francis “Honey” Wall, and Rex Smith. He is
survived by his children: Jeff and Elizabeth Smith of Van Alstyne, Texas, Lisa and David
Alderson of Horseshoe Bay, Texas, David and Julia Sandoz of Plano, Texas, and Mike Taylor of
Lake Kiowa, Texas. He is also survived by his 11 grandchildren: Sean and Mettie Taylor of Lake
Kiowa, Jeffrey and Molly Smith of Plano, Lauren and Kirby Myers of Horseshoe Bay, Courtnie
Taylor of Anna, Emily Alderson of Austin, Paige Taylor of Anna, Nathan and Lauren Smith of
Dallas, Hailey Sandoz of Plano, Lily Alderson of Waco, Clinton and Holly Thompson of
McKinney, and Nick Thompson of Euless. He is also survived by his 10 great grandchildren,
Finn, Elliot, Graham and Rowan Taylor, Cohen and Norah Smith, Grace and Jack Myers, and
Dylan and Tyler Thompson.
A family memorial service will be held at the First Baptist Church of Collinsville, Texas, on March
28, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Lake Kiowa Helping
Hands, a volunteer organization Bud started to help senior members of his community who
need assistance with small tasks. Please make checks payable to: Bud Smith LK Helping
Hands Memorial Fund. The checks may be dropped off or mailed to: First State Bank-Lake
Kiowa, P.O. Box 10, Gainesville, Texas, 76241 or by transfer of funds at the same bank.