H. Kirby Smith

Henry Kirby Smith, longtime resident of Beaumont, TX, died December 23, 2010 at the age of 92. He was born December 18, 1918 in Chambers County, TX to Manson and Etta Smith, pioneer settlers in Chambers County. Educated in the Anahuac Schools, he graduated from the University of Texas with a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering. He served in the U. S Army Air Corps during World War II. Kirby was assigned with a special group of Radio Broadcasters and Newspapermen to Japan to cover the signing of the terms of surrender on the deck of the Battleship Missouri. He worked for many years for the Sun Oil Company in Beaumont. He loved to garden and was a master woodcarver.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Jacqueline Lokey Smith, two brothers, Bernie and William, six sisters, Florence Clark, Ollie Duncan, Reita Hill, Ethel Baker, Cynthia Spencer, and Doris Raeke. He is survived by numerous nieces and nephews. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Beaumont. Special thanks to John and Ada Lane and family for their loving care of Kirby in their home for the last five years of his life.
Services for Kirby will be held Tuesday, December 28, 2010 at 3:00 p.m. at Claybar Kelley-Watkins Chapel with interment to follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Cemetery.