Dan Smith

Memorial graveside service for Mr. Dan Smith will be held Saturday, September 30, 2017 at West Mountain Cemetery, Upshur County with Austin Smith officiating.

Dan Selwyn Smith was a caring, intellectual gentleman who had a good sense of humor and many interests. He was born in McCamey, Texas on December 18, 1941 to Selwyn Seal Smith and Eugenia Smith.
He attended and graduated from Iraan High School where he played football for the Iraan Braves. He followed their wins and losses throughout his entire life. Following his graduation, he attended the University of Texas at Austin. While there, he served in the ROTC and became a member of Phi Kappa Psi fraternity. He was a loyal fan of the Texas Longhorn football program and a Life Member of the University of Texas Alumni Association. Dan graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Business from the University of Texas.
After graduation, he began his service to his country. He served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. He achieved the rank of Captain and served in the military police. During his military career, Dan was awarded the Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, and National Defense Service Medal.
Following Dan’s service to his country, he began his career in the oil and gas industry in Tyler and later Dallas. During this time, he attended Stephen F. Austin University and received his MBA.
Dan was a long-time resident of Dallas where he worked for Arco. He was later transferred to Midland where he returned to his roots in the Permian Basin. While living in Midland, he participated in the Lions Club and other organizations. In 2001, Dan married Jane McNeel of Odessa, Texas whom he had known since he returned to Midland to live, work, and retire. They shared many of the same interests and friends.
Dan traveled the world including Europe and Asia, as well as many places in the United States. He was an avid antiques collector spurring purchasing trips to France, Britain, and New Orleans. He believed “a thing of beauty is a joy forever.” –Keats.
His special interest in Napoleon resulted in a large collection of books, pictures, bronzes, and porcelains related to the French Emperor.
Conservative politics, elections, and all the topics involved lead to interesting dialogue and conversation with Dan. Growing up in Iraan and working with Arco produced life-long interests in the oil and gas industry professionally and personally.
Some of Dan’s favorite things include: the color yellow, fine cuisine, barbeque, as well as good home cooked meals, and classical music which varied from Pavarotti to Joplin. One of the simple pleasures Dan enjoyed was driving. He could be found driving a Penske hauling things, or driving his luxury cars, or his beloved Bronco which to the delight of the children, he could drive using the windshield wipers very sparingly when it rained and coming to a rolling stop without braking. He often took the “road less traveled” to reach his destination though not planned that way – a missed turn here and there.
Dan took great pride and joy in his grandchildren. He was especially proud of Corbin Lawson’s football scholarship to Rice University and Maggie’s accomplishments with her dance group. Also, special in his heart were Andrew, Alexis, i.e. “little girl” Ellie, Luke, Nick, Zach, Dillon and Paul and all of their accomplishments. They loved and showed him affection.
For the last several years, Dan experienced health problems. He passed away on February 17, 2017, in Midland, Texas surrounded by his loving family. He faced his illness with the same fortitude and bravery with which he had faced his life. “Cowards die many times before their deaths; the valiant never taste of death but once.” –Shakespeare.
Dan is survived by his devoted, caring wife, Jane New McNeel Smith of Midland; son, Corbin Dan Smith and his wife Amy Elizabeth and their children Corbin Lawson Smith and Margaret Elizabeth of Port Neches; son, Austin Reid Smith of Houston; his nephews, Mark Hall and his wife Gay, Mack Hall and his wife Susan of Lubbock and Michael Hall of Lubbock; step-daughter, Martha Carter and her husband Paul Carter and their children Nicholas, Zachary, Dillon, and Paul of Dallas; step-daughter, Elizabeth Sevcik and her husband Richard Sevcik and their children Ashley, Sarah, Andrew, Alexis, Ellie and Luke; cousins, Norton Lovell and his wife Lou, Mike Lovell and his wife Rebecca, Sue and Kirk Snider of West Mountain, Texas; sister-in-law, Sybil Aswell of Choudrant, Louisiana and her son Larry Aswell; and many other nieces and nephews and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Selwyn S. Smith and Eugenia Smith; sister, Martha Hall; his brother-in-law, Curtis Hall; two aunts, Josephine Banks and Lynette Clark; and cousin, Lewis Wayne Clark and his wife, Nona.
He will be greatly missed by all. “Lord, we do not complain because he was taken from us, but we will thank you that he was given to us.” –Angelo Sodano.