Gene Smith

OAKWOOD-" I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith." II Timothy 4:7. Howard E. "Gene" Smith 56 of Oakwood passed away at 8:10pm Saturday April 3, 2004 at his residence after battling cancer for the last year and three months. He was born October 6, 1947 in Danville, the son of Howard L. Smith and Hyla J. (Swartz) Smith. He was united in marriage to Judy L Brooke on June 18, 1972. She survives. Other survivors include his mother Hyla Smith of Bismarck, his two sons, Capt. Nathan A. (Shawn) Smith of Colorado Springs, CO. and Sgt. David A. (Sarah) Smith of Twenty Nine Palms CA. Two brothers, Jack (Linda) Smith and Kenneth (Linda) Smith both of Danville. His Nieces and Nephews, Michelle (Mike) Ghibaudy of Westville, Kimberly (Troy) Carpenter of Danville, Erik and McKenna Smith also of Danville. Also surviving are his grandnieces and nephews, Ryan Ghibaudy, Clayton Hall, Madison Smith and Cody Carpenter. He also had three girls that he considers his "adopted grandkids", Mallory and Abby Fields and Courtney Godley. He was preceded in death by his father, both sets of grandparents and a niece. Gene attended Bismarck schools and DACC. He worked at Supersweet Feeds until retirement and then for IDOT for only two days due to his illness. Gene served three years in the Army as well as retiring from the Army National Guard in 2002. When Gene's boys were younger, he helped with T-ball and the Scouts. He served on the Oakwood Park Board, and he donated blood regularly while in the National Guard. He belonged to the Revival Heirs; a southern gospel group for 15 years, as well as a member of the Vermilion Heights Christian Church where he served as an elder. He was on the Praise Team as a chairperson for the CMF. Gene loved his church family and tried to help wherever he was needed. This love was returned to him over and over again during his illness. He also enjoyed traveling and working around his yard. His hobbies were collecting milk jugs and Nascars. Gene was very proud of his boys and his brothers, and he enjoyed having family over to his home.