Bob G. Smith: UPDATE

Bob G. Smith was born March 30, 1928 in Elkhart , Kansas to Harry and Lena (Lunsford) Smith. He grew up on the farm and ranch north of Elkhart , where he attended Taloga grade school, then high school in Elkhart , where he graduated in 1946.

He went to Panhandle State University and earned a degree in music education in 1951. While in college he accompanied the University Choir during the week and played piano with the Melody Kings Dance Band on weekends. After graduating from college he was inducted into the Army for the next two years where he was selected for the Counter Intelligence Corps. Elkhart and Morton County, Kansas were the places he loved, and immediately after receiving an honorable discharge from the Army, he returned there to become involved in the Harry Smith and Son Polled Hereford business. For the next 45 years he worked with his cattle, showing them in many places. He was most proud of the Standard of Perfection Polled Hereford Show dedicated to the Harry Smith family at the American Royal in Kansas City , November 6, 1989. He was inducted into the Kansas Polled Hereford Hall of Fame in 1998. He was a Past President of the Kansas Polled Hereford Association.

Bob was very active in the Morton County Fair for close to 40 years, as well as serving on the ASCS board for many years.

Besides the cattle business, Bob was well-known in the area for his outstanding piano playing. He played for the United Methodist Church , weddings, funerals, and musical productions and music contests for the high school.

In his later years he accompanied recitals and musicals for Oklahoma Panhandle State University , as well as serving on the Panhandle State Foundation board of directors.

He married Elgy Ford at Goodwell , Oklahoma on February 3, 1951. They were married more than 60 years.

Bob and Elgy were inducted into the Panhandle State Alumni Ambassador Hall of Fame in 1991 and into the Panhandle State Foundation in 1996.

They have one daughter, Dr. Jocelyn Fox, Fox Animal Services Veterinary clinic, Vernon , Texas , who also helps her husband, Taylor Fox, farm and ranch at Crowell. For that reason the Smiths elected to purchase a house in Vernon , to be near their daughter during the winter months, and have been part0time residents of Vernon since 2006.

Bob passed away at the Crowell Nursing Center , October 23, 2011. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister and many aunts and uncles. He leaves his wife, Elgy, and daughter, Dr. Jocelyn Fox and Taylor, as well as many friends and cousins to mourn his passing.

Funeral service will be held Thursday, October 27, 2011 at 10:30 AM at Garnand Funeral Home Chapel in Elkhart , Kansas with Pastor Ron Crosley officiating. Interment will follow at the Elkhart Cemetery with Military Rites conducted by the VFW #3162. Friends may call Wednesday, October 26, 2011 from 2:00 PM until 8:00 PM at Garnand Funeral Home in Elkhart . Bob would be happy to know that any memorials were for the Morton County Fair Association in care of Garnand Funeral Home, PO Box 854 , Elkhart , KS 67950 .