Harlan Van Smith

Harlan Van Smith passed away peacefully in his sleep Saturday, April 1, 2017.
Funeral Service: Noon Thursday in Lucas Funeral Home Chapel. Interment: 2 p.m. in Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery. Visitation: 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Lucas Funeral Home.
Harlan was born in Nacogdoches on January 22, 1928, the first son of the late Van and Leah Marlin Smith. He graduated from Greenville High School, Greenville on May 28th 1946. Harlan was then drafted in the US Army Airborne October 1946 serving in Japan through May 1948. He attended Texas Western College in 1948 and on January 21, 1950 married Ellen Dowdy in El Paso. He graduated college on August 24th 1952, and was issued a US Army officer commission December 12, 1952. His service to the United States Army continued and included tours of duty at Fort Bliss Texas, Arkansas State University, Ark., Fort Sill, Okla., Ellsworth AFB SD, Kaiserslautern, Germany, The Pentagon Washington DC, Libya, Fort Carson Colo., and Vietnam through 1967. Harlan departed the US Army as an Artillery Major including The Commendation Ribbon and the Bronze Star. Following his military career he was employed at Beltone Electronics from 1968 retiring 1989. In retirement Harlan stayed active for many years as a dedicated employee and ambassador for The Fort Worth Stock Show. While living in Eden, WY he logged over 7,500 miles volunteering to shuttle Veterans to healthcare appointments in southwest Wyoming. Harlan never met a stranger, always engaged anyone he met with a firm handshake, a sincere warm smile and the genuine desire for conversation. He displayed a gregarious demeanor, sense of humor and dry wit. Harlan excelled in sacrificing to meet the needs of his family and always provided for his children and grandchildren and was very proud of them all. He was a stern leader with an impeccable work ethic. Harlan loved the sport of football, his “Dallas Cowboys” as well as a good round of golf and a peaceful day of fishing . He was truly successful in life, was a great contributor to the greatest generation in American history and will be sorely missed.

Harlan was preceded by one daughter, Karen Leah Mullin; uncle, Harold Smith; and cousin, Harold “Bubba” Smith, Jr.

Harlan is survived by his wife of 67 years, Ellen Smith of Trophy Club; brother, Leonard Gregory Smith (Linda) of Houston; six children, Harlan Van Smith Jr. (Debbie) of Rio Rancho, NM, Cynthia Kay Smith of Eden, WY, Georgia Chrystine Smith (Christopher)of Casper WY, Laura Gail Moren (Greg) of Keller, and Michael Edward Smith (Amy) of Bridgeport; son-in law, Bill Mullin of Unionville, PA; 11 grandchildren, William Sterrett Mullin (Sharon) of Strasburg PA, Eric Brian Smith (Heddy) of Elgin, Justin Jacob Mullin (Keri) of Denton, Stephen Allen Smith (Kelly) of Tacoma WA, Adam Ezra Zimmerer (LeeAnne) of Austin, Ashley Ellen Konogeris (Austin) of Krum, Madeline Marie Moren of Dallas, Thomas Van Smith (Sami Jo) of Eden WY, Macy Elizabeth Smith of Bridgeport, Emily Marie Moren of Colorado School of Mines Golden, CO, Marshall Edward Smith of Bridgeport; 13 great- grandchildren: Emily, Daniel and Katelyn Mullin of Strasburg, PA, Kayla, Jacob and McKenzie Mullin of Denton, James, Avery, Van and Aspen Smith of Elgin, Payton and Braiden Smith of Tacoma WA, Anderson Konogeris of Krum ; three nieces: Kelley Lubanko (Stephen) of Houston, Stacie Smith (Scott) of Cumming, GA, Leslie Smith of Houston; one nephew, Ret. Major Randolph Smith (Carol) of Houston; aunt, Dorothy Smith of Houston; and cousins, Nannette Tucker of Houston and Sharon Smith of Houston.