Joe Steven Smith

Joe Steven Smith, 85, of Burgandy Ave, Carlsbad, NM, passed away July 26, 2025 at his home, peacefully, surrounded by his wife and three sons. Cremation has taken place and a private family service will take place at a later date.

Joe, or Steve—as he was more commonly known—was born April 1, 1940 in Dallas, Texas to C.W. and Louise (Mabry) Smith. Steve married Diane Hewitt of Houston on November 21, 1961. They met in El Paso when he was a teenager, bagging groceries for Diane and her mother. He knew immediately she was to be the love of his life... and she was.

Steve graduated from Ysleta High School in El Paso in 1958, where he excelled in multiple sports. After graduating, he worked in construction, manufacturing, and eventually earned the career of his life, alongside his brother Wayne, as a Patrol Agent with the U.S. Border Patrol in 1972, retiring in 1996.

Steve enjoyed socializing and visiting with people. He never met a stranger. His favorite post-retirement activities were golfing and telling stories, morning coffee with his friends at the Stevens Motel or The Blue House (where he was endearingly known by the staff as Mr. Wonderful), telling more stories, having a cigar while running his tractor, and fishing with his wife, sons and brother-in-law Gary. Later in life, his day was always capped off with a video chat with his brother Wayne, before his passing in 2023.

The impact of the bonds created during his time as a Patrol Agent—and ultimately Senior Patrol Agent—were to last the rest of his life, with frequent calls after retiring from fellow Patrol Agents, but none more than by his supervisor, Patrol Agent in Charge David Moody. Their relationship transcended to a brotherly level, and in his last days, provided much-needed comfort and love.

Steve was preceded in death by infant sister Evelyn Louise Smith, his parents, and brothers Jay Dean Smith & Carl Wayne Smith.

He is survived by his wife, Diane Smith, sons James Smith, Edward Smith, and Steven Smith & wife Jennifer; grandchildren Kiaya Lecher, Tabitha Smith, Ashton Huerta, Ryann Smith-Hobbs, Beau Smith and Taryn Smith; great-grandchildren Cayden Milligan, Michael Huerta, Arianna Milligan and Izabelle Huerta; sister-in-law Charlotte Smith; nieces Toni Lewallen & Debra Smith, and nephews Matthew Newcomb & James Newcomb.