Terry Smith

Terry Omar Smith
April 18, 1947 – March 8, 2011


On the morning of March 8, 2011, Terry Smith, 63, of Bryan, went home to be with his Lord and Savior.

Terry was born April 18, 1947, to Omar and Elouise Beard Smith. He grew up in Bryan and graduated from Stephen F. Austin High School. In 1967 he married his high school sweetheart Karen Kindt. Together, they built a life on based on faith and service to others.
Terry’s lifelong love of tennis came naturally, as his father was coach of the Texas A&M tennis team. Terry played tennis in high school, including the West Texas circuit during the summers, and later as a member of the Texas Aggie tennis team. He graduated from Texas A&M University with a B.A. degree in business and served on the College of Education Development Council in the 1980s. He enjoyed all Aggie sports.

Terry followed in his father’s footsteps, managing a large group of Dairy Queen franchises across Texas. He enjoyed traveling to the different stores each week and meeting with employees, all of whom remember his warm smile, his concern for their welfare, and his love for his work. He served on the Texas State Dairy Queen Board a number of times, including two terms as president. In 2009, he and Karen received the Lifetime Achievement Award presented by the Texas Dairy Queen Operators’ Council. That citation reads, in part, “Terry and Karen Smith exemplify goodness, generosity, honesty, courage, mercy and talents well used.”

Terry loved traveling the back roads of Texas and seeing the beauty of God’s creation. He knew all the constellations, was an avid bird watcher, and delighted in seeing the first bluebonnets and Indian paint brushes in the spring.

He was devoted to the young people of his church and taught middle school, high school, and college age youth for many years. He was also a children’s leader in Bible Study Fellowship. He believed that nothing is more important than teaching young people about the Bible and always made it fun for them to learn.

But the most important part of Terry’s life was his family. He adored his children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews, and his happiest times were the many trips they took together. He was the heart of his family–a devoted husband, father and grandfather; a mentor and guide; a supporter and encourager.

Terry Smith was a simple, humble, and godly man. He believed the most important thing was not who you were, but how you lived your life and treated others. He will be remembered for his huge smile, his generosity of spirit, his love of life, the ease with which he made friends, and his devotion to God.

Terry was preceded in death by his parents and by two children–Natalie Renee Smith and Christopher Kindt Smith. He is survived by his wife Karen Kindt Smith; son Jeremy Smith and wife Audra; daughter Heather Barron and husband Collin; a sister, Jeanne Smith Cherry of Dallas, Texas; a brother, Don Smith and his wife Monie of Bryan; sisters-in-law, Norma Kindt Wheat of Spring, Texas, and Cheryl Kindt Akins of Bryan; mother-in-law Eleanor Franze Kindt of Wixon Valley, Texas; grandchildren Olivia Louise Barron, Morgan Marie Smith, and Madison Elaine Smith; and numerous nieces and nephews.

The funeral service will be at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, March 12 at First Christian Church in Bryan, with interment following at Kurten Cemetery. Visitation for family and friends will be Friday, March 11, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Hillier Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to First Christian Church, 900 South Ennis, Bryan, Texas  77803, or to Breakaway Ministries, P.O. Box 9727, College Station, Texas 77842.

“I can do everything through him who gives me strength.”
(Philippians 4:13)