Charles Leroy Smith Jr.

Charles LeRoy Smith Jr. (Chip) passed away peacefully on Friday, January 3, 2025. Chip was born in Biloxi, Mississippi, on April 24, 1961, to Charles LeRoy Smith (Lee) and Dorothy (Tate) Smith. 

Chip lived an exciting life with his parents, sister and brother. With his dad being in the USAF they never lived in one place for very long. He started his life in Biloxi, MS, and from there they lived in Keflavik, Iceland; Red Bluff, CA; Sherman, TX; Goldsboro, NC; Sumter, SC; Baton Rouge, LA; Toul-Rosieres, France; Mountain Home, ID; Palm Springs, CA; Turin, Italy; and Tucson, AZ. From there he struck out on his own, heading to Golden, CO for college and finally made his way to Texas, calling Fort Worth his home.

While in high school and college Chip ran track and played football. He graduated from the Colorado School of Mines with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry degree and was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon, the same fraternity that his father and grandfather were members of. It was while in college that he became a volunteer firefighter, and the fire bug got him. In 1986 Chip started with the Fort Worth Fire Department where he had a long successful career promoting all the way to Captain. He worked his way through Station 5, Station 14, Station 22 and finally made his way to Station 24 where he spent many years serving the eastside of Fort Worth. Over his 32-year career he had many accolades from newspaper to TV including, Firefighter of the Year (2003) and Distinguished Career Award (2017).

In 1988 he met his future wife, Beth Utzinger. They were married at Peace Lutheran Church on February 10, 1990. For 10 years they enjoyed traveling, playing softball, boating, and making the most of every opportunity. But his greatest achievements were his children, Jacob and Megan. He was a devoted dad. Never missing the various activities, they were involved in. He was very proud of them both for all they have accomplished so far in life, Jacob becoming a fireman and getting married and Megan playing lots of volleyball and starting college. As a family we all enjoyed the farm life. He loved driving his John Deere tractor and working with the cows, ducks, goats, pig and dogs - he loved it all! 

Chip wore many hats in his lifetime, and he lived life to the fullest. He loved being a fireman, he loved being a farmer but most of all he loved his family and being a dad.

Chip is survived by his wife of 34 years, Beth, his two children Jacob (Ashley) and Megan, his father Lee, father and mother in-law Ken and Rita Utzinger, his sister Carol Smith (Steve), brother David Smith (Ruth Clair), brother in-law Jeffrey Utzinger (Christa) and his nephews and nieces, Matthew (Alycia), Nathan (Candace), Ben (Kaitlyn), Nicholas (Allison), Alexander (Nezka), Sterling (McKenzie), Gabriel (Haley), Madison, Emma, Lilli and Thomas. As well as five great nephews and one great niece, along with many friends and his Fort Worth Fire Department family. Chip is preceded in death by his mother Dottye. 

We would like to thank all the many doctors, caregivers, family, and friends for all the love and support over the last several years. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Cahill Methodist Church, Alvarado.

In honor of Chip’s memory, let us celebrate the joy, love, and wisdom he brought into our lives. Though he may be gone, his spirit will forever remain in our hearts. 

“When a lovely flame dies, Smoke gets in your eyes.” The Platters