George Joseph Smith

George Joseph Smith

March 19, 1930 – May 13, 2021

George J. Smith, better known as Dad and PawPaw, passed peacefully on May 13, 2021 at the age of 91 surrounded by loved ones. In addition to being a terrific Dad, Grandfather, and Great Grandfather. George started his career in the HISD as a school teacher at Kelso Elementary. He went on to become Principal at Crocket Elementary for 5 years. George then became the Principal of John R. Harris in 1965 and served as its Principal until 1995 when he finally retired from the HISD. There also was a period when he was actually the principal of Kay Elementary and John R Harris at the same time. He was also a member of the Army and served in Korea during the Korean War and earned 3 Bronze Stars and a NATO service medal.

During his time at John R Harris, he came up with the idea to start a scholarship for a graduating senior that lived in one of 3 communities in the immediate area of John R Harris. With the cooperation of the Pastor of St. Alphonsus Catholic Church and Stauffer Chemical (currently Solvay Chemical), the Scholarship was created. He served on the board until his health would no longer permit him to serve.

He was always a “Health Nut” and was very active. He would jog 2 ½ miles EVERY day, even if it was raining outside. When arthritis no longer permitted him to jog, he would ride his stationary bike for 5 miles a day. He also enjoyed going to the gym and working out. He was still working out twice a day at his retirement facility until he broke a hip last June. He also was not shy to let Kyle or Mike know “that we needed to reduce”, which is just another way of telling us “to lose weight.”

He enjoyed attending Kyle, Mike, Brad and Blake’s sporting events. He never missed a single sporting event of either son which is quite an accomplishment considering they played sports from the third grade through college. Although he would never admit it, we all know he probably enjoyed seeing Brad and Blake’s games even more. When Brad and Blake were growing up, he would drive up to Burleson on Friday to watch their games, drive home on Sunday and do it all again the next Friday. He also attended Blake’s games when he played at Angelo State University. It was a 6 hour drive there, but he didn’t mind the drive. He was also the World’s Greatest Dad and he was also the “World’s Greatest Papa” and he had a shirt that said so.

He was preceded in death by several family members but the most recent was his cousin Daniel Kubacak. George and Daniel were more like brothers growing up since neither one had any siblings. If you ever needed to know any family history, you could just ask one of them and they would be glad to fill you in. George and his “brother” Dan are reunited and no telling what they are stirring up now. George is survived by son Michael “Piscoti” Smith and his wife Kim “Splufka” Smith, son Kyle “Bullhead” Smith and his wife Raina “Snufka” Smith, grandsons Blake “Hotshot” Smith and Brad “Big Dog” Smith and his wife Whitni “Sweet Potato” Smith and their daughter Mackenzie Smith and Blake and Brad’s mother Lauri “Bisca” Smith and her husband James “James James James” Norcross and by Michael’s lifelong friend and dad’s “unofficially adopted son” Mike “Pisgudny” Boyd.

As you can see from the above list of survivors, if you were lucky enough to know George you likely had a nick name.

George also had some very special care giving Angels who made his past few years special including Alecia, Selina, Irainah, Clarissa, Christina and many many more. Although he will be greatly missed, he will never be forgotten.

Visitation/Vigil Services will be Monday May 24th, 2021 at Pasadena Funeral Home located at 2203 Pasadena Blvd., Pasadena, TX 77502 Visitation for family will be at 5:00pm and visitation for everyone will be from 5:30pm – 7:00pm which includes a vigil service. A Military Funeral Honors Service will be held at the Houston National Cemetery for Veterans on Tuesday May 25th, 2021 at 11:15am. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, this service will be limited to the family. In lieu of flowers, we ask that you make donations to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital on his behalf. Donations can be made at www.stjude.org Being a cancer survivor, he loved what St Jude’s does for children who have cancer and their families.